^'^^i^S^^f^- 



Class 




Book •Q^'Bl^. 



RE-DEDICATION 



OLD STATE HOUSE. 




OLD STATE HOUSE. 
WEST END, lana. 



EE-DEDICATION 



OLD STATE HOUSE 



BOSTON, 



JULY 11, 1882. 



FIFTH EDITIOK^. 




Boston: 

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL. 
1889. 



Fni 






.OtTBin 



CITY OF BOSTON. 

Ix BoAitn OF Aldeumex, April S, 1889. 

Ordered, Tliat the Supcriiitcmleiit of Printing be authorized to have 
reprintoil an eilition of fifteen hundred copies of the Old State House Memo- 
rial, and that each member of tlie City Council be furnished ten copies; the 
expense thus incurred to be charged to the appropriation for Printing. 

Passed. Sent down for concurrence. April 11, came up concurred. 
Approved by tlie Mayor, .Vjiril l.'j, 1889. 

A true copy. 

Attest : 



7 



E. U. CURTIS, 

City Clerk. 



ill mill Churchill, city Printers, Bo»lou. 



CONTENTS. 



Preliminary Note 

Proceedings at Re-dedication 

Remarks of Alderman Charles H. llcrsey 

Prayer 

Oration 

Remarks of Mayor Samuel A. Green 
Remarks of Hon. Marshall P. Wilder 
Letter from Gov. John D. Long 
Letter from Com. 0. C. Badger 



PAGE 
9 
17 

18 
19 
22 
121 
124 
126 
126 



Appendix : — 

A. Papers relative to Town House of lfi.">7 
Papers relative to rebuilding in 1711 . 
Papers relative to Fire in 17+7 . 
Note relative to the Lion and Unioorn 
_ Note relative to Faneuil Hall . 
P. Report of City Architect . 
G. Financial Exhibit . . . ■ 

Extracts from the Will of Captain Robert 
Account of the Fire in 1747 
Painter's Bill of 1773 
Relics of the Old House . 
The Court House, the .Tail, and the City Hall 
M. Prefatory Note by W. H. Whitniore 

Extracts from Dr. G. H. Moore's pamphlet 
taneum Bostoniense " 
Index 



B. 
C. 
D. 

E. 



H. 

I. 

J. 

K. 

L, 



Keay 



ne 



entitled "Pry 



129 
133 
139 
145 
149 
152 
156 
162 
169 
170 
171 
173 
201 

208 
225 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Olil State House, Washington-street End 

Olil State House, East Knil, 1882 

Olil Slate House, Interior Views. 1,S8:J 

•Old State House in 1791 

James Otis ...... 

State-street Massacre .... 

•Samuel Adams ..... 

♦Josiali Quiney, Jr. .... 

♦Jolin llancoek 

•Thomas Gushing, Speaker, 1771 

•James IJowdoin ..... 

Old State House in 1785 . 

Triumphal .Areh at the Ueception of U'asliington in 17S0 . 

Fae-simile of Order of Proces.-ion, in Honor of Wasliington's V 

178'J 

•Old State House in 17!)3 . 

Old State House in 1799 . 

•Old State House in 1801 . 

Old State House in ISLM, bv Hales 

State Street and Old Slate House in 1826 

Old State House, from Pemberton Hill. Sa 

Old State House in 1835, 1850, 1880 . 

Old State House in 1830, 1835. 1838 . 

Olil State House on Fire in 1832. 

Old State House in 1871!, showing .Mansard 

Faneml Hall in 1789 .... 

Faneuil Hall in 1826 .... 

Architect's Plan, Old State House 

Diagrams from Maps in IsoO and 181-1 show 

Court House, Court Square, 18."il 

Court House, School Street, erreted iu 181 

Johnson Hall, School Street 

City Hall, 1856 

Plan in 1830, by Isaiah Rogers . 



I'ront 



Hoof 



ing C 



■ll.' 



\'iew, 1829 



Signs, etc. 



ourt House 



PACE 

ispiece 
17 
22 
03 
70 
82 
8-t 
87 
88 
90 
9i 
95 
96 

97 
98 
98 
101 
107 
109 
110 
111 
112 
IH 
116 
149 
151 
153 
190 
191 
192 
193 
190 
205 



• From the Mcmorlol IlUtury of Bostun, by perniUHlon. 



PRELIMINAEY NOTE. 



PEELIMTNAEY NOTE. 



The restoration of tho Old State House is an event of 
which every Bostonian niaj' Avell be proud. The history of 
the building is so indissolubly (-onnected with the most 
stirring events in the annals of the city, and of the nation 
also, that it is a source of peculiar gratification to know 
that the ancient edifice has been saved from destruction, 
and will be handed down to future generations in a form 
substantially the same as it presented when within its 
venerable walls "the child Independence was born." 

The building narrowly escaped destruction in 1876. In 
that year the leases expired, and an effort was made to re- 
move it, on the ground that it was an obstruction to the 
extension of Devonshire street. The subject was vigorously 
discussed in l)()tli l)ranches of the City Council, and re- 
sulted in a compromise, b}' which the portico on the east- 
erly end, built in IS.^0, was removed, and the space that 
it occupied thrown into the street. The l)uilding was then 
re-leased for a term of five years. 

At the termination of tho leases, in 1881, the question 
arose as to whether the building should be again leased, 
or whether it should bo restored to its original condition 
and preserved for public purposes.' The latter view pre- 



'For report of hearings, see City Document 71 B, 1881 



10 OLD STATE IIOrSE RE-DEDICATION. 

vailed, iind the result is commemorated in the following 
pages. 

The history of the Old State House is so completely 
related in Mr. Whilmore's oration that any further elabo- 
ration on the .sul)jei't appears superfluous ; but, inasmuch 
as attempts have been made to throw discredit upon the 
claims of the building to be a genuine relic of revolution- 
ary and pre-revolutionary times, a few words on that point 
may not l)e out of i)lace. 

Throughout all the changes that have taken place the 
Old State House has preserved its original form more 
closel}' than any other of the historic huildings of the 
country. The alterations that have been made from time 
to time were such -as did not affect the construction of the 
building to any great extent, and the material in it to-day 
is mostly that which was put in place l)y the original 
builders. The wcn'k of restoration consisted mainly of re- 
movinsT the additions that were made when the buildinsr 
was fitted up for mercantile uses. The new work jjlaced 
in the building consisted principally of interior finish, such 
as would naturally require renewal in course of time from 
the wear and tear incidental to ])nildings used for pul)lic 
purposes. 

For the purpose of more full}" illustrating this fact it 
has been thought desirable to present several reproductions 
of old prints which show the appearance of the l)uilding 
at different times, and prove that the exterior form of the 
old building has not been materially changed. 

The first view is that given in Paul Kevere's engraving 
of the lioston massacre, niaile aliout 1770. This is the 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. H 

earliest view extant, and is particularly interesting from 
the fact that it is tlie only one whicli sliows the lit)M and 
unicorn. The view of 178.5, taken from the cover of the 
" Boston Magazine " for July of that year, gives a clearer 
view of the lower story, and shows that the lion and uni- 
corn had been removed since Paul Revere's si^etch was 
made. The fact that an engraving of tiie l)uilding was 
chosen to embellish the title-page of a popular magazine 
indicates that it was considered of considerable importance 
at that time. This is still further shown by a view of tlie 
building being placed upon the policies of the Massachu- 
setts Fire Insurance Company, incorporated in 1795, a copy 
of which is herewith given. 

The view of 1801 is an engraving made for the ]Memo- 
rial History of Boston, from a painting by J. B. Marston, 
in the possession of the Historical Society. The view of 
1821, from Hales' survey, shows the first extensive altera- 
tion. The steps had l)een removed and a large window 
substituted for the door under the balcony. 

The view of 1826, from Snow's history, shows that a 
clock had been substituted for a sun-dial. Chimneys also 
appear for the first time. Tiiey were probal)ly built when 
the upper portion of the liuilding was leased to the 
Masonic order. The view from Snow's Geography, of 18.30, 
shoMs the alterations made Avhen the building was fitted 
u]) for municipal purposes. The upper balcony was ex- 
tended across the building, and was supported by eight heavy 
columns, arranged in pairs, and resting upon a lower bal- 
cony. This view is the only one that shows the town-pump, 
which is still remembered by many of our older citizens. 



12 OI,I) STATK IIOCSK KE-DKDICATION. 

.Salmon's piftiiro of the lire in 1832, and the view from 
Boweii"s voiiunt^ of 1838, both show the building un- 
changed. 

The view made by Loring, iu 1876, shows the addition 
of a ^Ian^■aI■d roof, and gives a correct idea of the build- 
ing as it appeared when given over completely to business 
purposes. Shortly after this sketch was made tiu; balco- 
nies on the easterly end were removed in order to widen 
the street, and \\n' building then apjjeared as shown in the 
view made in 1880. 

Turning now to the AVashington-street end, the earliest 
view is that of 1789, taken from the "Polyanthus." This 
print shows a temporary balcony, erected for Uw accom- 
modation of (reiicial Washington, when he reviewed the 
proc(^ssion in iioiior of his \isit to Boston. It sliows, also, 
tlic triuinph.il arcii, wiiich was thrown across AVashington 
.street. In this connection a copy of the programme of 
the procession is given, slightly reduced in size, from the 
original now in possession of the Public Library. 

The views of 17!)1 and of 179.5, both from the " Mas.sa- 
ohusetts ^[agazine," show no alteration in the liuilding. 

Tiic <irawing made liy Hunt, and lithographed by Pen- 
dleton, iu 1)S3.'), shows a l)alcony supported by iieaxv 
columns, and corresponds with a \iew given in the Bewick 
Comi)any's map of same date. 

.\ lithogr.-iph made in 1S,')0 shows that the columns had 
lieen removed, and a modern store front ])ut in. 'I'his 
condition remained substantially unchanged in IS.Si). 

The plan prepared l>y Isaiah Rogers in 1S30, when 
the building was adapted to city uses, cxplain.s tho theory 
of this reconstruction. 



OLD STATE IIOrSE UE-DEDICATIOX. 13 

Oil exuiuining these views it will be seen that the orig- 
inal lines of the old hiiilding have not been altered, and 
that the exterior walls remain intact, except where the 
doors and windows in the lower story were enlarged. 

Comparing the Old State House with other historic- build- 
ings, as, for instance, Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, 
and Faneuil Hall, the former has certamly the strongest 
claim to be regarded as a genuine relic. Etting's history 
of Independence Hall proves that the work of restoring 
that edifice was attended l)y far greater difficulties than 
were met with in the Old State House. 

Two views of Faneuil Hall are given. One from the 
"Massachusetts Magazine," showing the building as it ap- 
peared in revolutionary days ; the other, from Snow's his- 
tory, showing it after it was enlarged in 1808, or as it is 
to-day. A white line on the latter engi-aving indicates the 
outline of the old Iniilding^ and shows that the historic 
Faneuil Hall was a nuieh smaller building than the present 
one ; in fact, but a small portion of the old building re- 
mains ; nevertheless, no one questions the title of both In- 
dependence Hall and Faneuil Hall to be venerated as 
genuine relics of historic times. 

It will be noted that the present is the fifth edition of 
this book, the first being j)rinted in 18.S2, the second in 
1S,S3, the third in 1885, and the fourth in 1887. The first 
two editions were substantially alike, but in the third, five 
appendices were added, increasing the volume from 179 
pages to 216 pages. The main increase was in Appendix ^f, 
being a reprint of an cssa}' by Dr. George II. ^loore on 
the history of the building, and Appendix X, iu which 
^Ir. "Whitmore replied to his ciiticisms. 



14 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

In (lie fourth edition, Appendix M has been somewhat 

coiuU'nsed mid Appendix N omitted, thereby roiiioving 

the controversial parts of these articles. Appendix F, of 

former editions, •which was a history of the City Hall, the 

Court House, and the Jail, has been re-written in the light 

of later information, and now constitutes Appendix L. 

This has rendered it necessarj'^ to alter the numbering 

of the a[)pendices, and to make some slight changes in the 

position of the illustrations. 

J. L. H. 

CiTV Hall, Boston, April, 1880. 



PROCEEDINGS AT RE-DEDICATION. 




OLD STATE HOUSE 
EAST END, 1882. 



PROCEEDINGS AT RE-DEDICATION. 



The five yeai-s' lease of the Old State House expired July 
1, 1881. In anticipation of that event it was suggested that 
the historic interest of the building was so gi"eat that it might 
be desirable to retain the control of, at least, the upper part 
floor of the building for public uses, and to restore the whole 
edifice to the appearance it wore a century ago. The City 
Council, after considerable discussion, voted to appropriate 
the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars for repairs on the 
building, putting the charge, as usual, in the hands of the 
Committee on Public Buildings, of which Alderman William 
AVoolley was chairman in 1881 and 1882. 

The work proved greater than was anticipated ; but on 
June 29, 1882, the committee was able to announce the sub- 
stantial completion of their labors (see City Doc. 100), and 
to invite the City Council to attend at the formal transfer of 
the building to His Honor the Mayor, on Tuesday, July 11. 
Accordingl}^ on the forenoon of that day, the following pro- 
ceedings took place, which are now published by order of 
the City Council. 

The ceremonies were held in the East Hall, occupied in 
colonial times by the Governor and Council, afterwards by 
the State Senate, and from 1830 to 1840 by the Board of 
Aldermen. Portraits of the old governors, Winthrop, 



18 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

Endicott, Bellingham, and Burnet, were kindly loaned for 
tlie occasion, by direction of Hon. Robert R. Bishop, Presi- 
dent of the Senate. The Massachusetts Historical Society 
loaned portraits of Governors Belcher, Joseph Dudley, and 
Hutchinson. The Puljlic Library contributed a caricature 
of Governor Gage, and engravings of Governors Pownall 
and Andros also hung upon the walls. 

In the West Hall, formerly occupied by the House ol" 
Representatives, and later by the Common Council, were 
the supcrlj portraits of Samuel Adams and John Hancock, 
owned by the city, and Stuart's portrait of Josiah Quincy, 
Jr., the patriot. Other interesting pictures and engi-avings 
adorned the various rooms. The orator of the day delivered 
his address from the Speaker's desk used in the old House 
of Representatives, and now owned by the ]Massachusctts 
Historical Society. 

Owing to the unavoidable absence of Alderman Woolley, 
chairman of the committee, the assemblage was called to 
order by Alderman Heksey, who spoke as follows : — 

Mr. Mayor, Gentlemen of the City Council, Ladies 
and Gentlemen: — 

Yuu are assembled here to-day to receive the 
report of the committee to whom was assigned the 
duty of renovating and restoring the Old State 
House. The work is completed, of which you have 
the evidence before you, and I am happy to say it 
has been done within the estimates and appropria- 
tion. 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 19 

The work of restoration has not been accom- 
plished except by much expenditure of time and 
thought in delving among old documents for evi- 
dences of what the building was in its early days ; 
and it presents to-day, both as to its exterior 
and interior, substantially the same appearance that 
it did in those early days of its history when the 
noble men, whose portraits look down upon us here 
walked these streets, and to the gathered citizens 
within these historic walls spoke the patriotic words 
of counsel that incited them to deeds of noble daring 
in defence of national liberty, and made this country 
a free republic. 

It would seem proper that, in dedicating this build- 
ing to purposes akin to those for which it was 
originally designed, we should seek the Divine favor. 
[ therefore Avill request the Rev. Dr. Rufus Ellis, 
pastor of the First Church, to ask a blessing. It 
would seem apiiropriate and fitting that he, the pas- 
tor of the church which in its early days was located 
in this immediate vicinity, should thus officiate. You 
will please give your attention whUe the Rev. Dr. 
Ellis asks a blessing. 



PRAYEK BY RUFUS ELLIS, D.D. 

O God of our fathers, our dwelling-place in all 
generations, we thank Thee for our goodly heritage. 



20 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

lS"ot without Thee would we come together. Obedi- 
ent to Thy voice do we remember the days of old. 
It is our desire and prayer that by these renewals and 
restorations Ave may so strengthen the things that 
i-emain, and so bind together our best and most 
l)reeious hopes, and our dearest memories, that we 
shall grow thereby in all sweet humanities, and our 
city be, indeed, as a city set upon a hill whose light 
cannot be hid, whose light shall shine in praise and 
works that are just and merciful. 

We pray Thee that this ancient house may be for- 
ever a common possession, a common joy, and a 
common pride of all those Avhose homes and places 
of daily toil are centred about it, and may it be a 
memorial to them that they are citizens of no mean 
city. So may the Lord keep the city; so may its 
walls be salvation and its gates praise ; and so for the 
abundance of righteousness and love within its bor- 
ders, may all the walls that are builded by human 
hands be consecrated; and may this be to us at last, 
in the brighter and better and holier days, that city 
of our God, of which it is wi'itten, I saw no temple 
therein: and for the light that shines upon all and 
upon the house may there be nothing inicommon or 
unclean. 

"\Ve pray this prayer unto Thee in His name who 
bids us render unto Caisar the things which are 
Caesar's, and unto God the things which are God's, 



OLD STATE nOUST5 RE-DEDICATION. 21 

and, in the words which He hath taught us, may Ave 
with one heart and one voice say unto Thee: Our 
Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. 
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it 
is in licaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and 
forgive us our trespasses as Ave forgive those that 
trespass against us. A.nd lead us not into temptation ; 
but deliA'er us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the poAver, and the glory, forever and ever. 
Amen. 

Alderman Herset. — Ladies and gentlemen, 
perhaps to one member of the city government 
more than all others is due the credit of AvhateA'er 
success has attended the restoration of this building. 
I allude to that member Avhose duty and pleasure it 
will be to address you on this occasion. It gives 
me great pleasui-e to introduce to you Williajm 
H. Whitmore, member of the Common Coimcil 
from Ward ]2. 



ADDRESS OF WILLIAM H. WHITMORE. 



FeLlow-Members of the City Council : — 

We arc gathered here to-day to re-dedicate a build- 
ing ah-eady hallowed by the patriotic contests of 
jircvious generations. We are to strengthen a link 
in that chain of our history which connects those who 
resisted the despotism of the Stuarts with those who 
rebelled against the raisgovernment of the mother 
country, and again with those who so lately fought 
for the preservation of the unity of the nation. We 
arc to remember that we are henceforth the custo- 
dians not only of Faneuil Hall and the Old South, so 
universally known at the present day, but also of 
that older and still more revered spot, which, after a 
temporary neglect and decay, is now to stand pre- 
eminent among all the buildings in the land. 

I will endeavor to set forth, with due citation of 
authorities, the claims of the Old State House to be 
the spot most intimately associated with the history 
of liberty in this Commonwealth, and the right of the 
present building to assume to be, not the representa- 
tive of departed glories, but their actual and existing 
monument, — never obliterated, never changed in any 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 23 

essential degree, — as fit to-day as it was a century 
aero to be the "rlorious theatre of immortal events. 

When our forefathers established this town they 
found that Xature had apparently marked this spot 
for a centre of the new settlement. A little projec- 
tion, of which our State street is the ridge, divided 
the coves lying north and south. The land reached 
then as far as Kilby street on the one side, and 
Merchants' Row on the other. On the north the 
Town Dock, now covered by Quincy Market and 
even by streets farther inland, reached to the slopes 
of Copp's Hill. On the south a cove, occupying 
Liberty square and its vicinity, severed Fort Hill 
from approach, except on the line of Franklin street. 
Directly in the range of this point the lofty height 
of Beacon Hill towered above the narrow plain, 
through which Washington street and Court street 
were to be stretched. Along the banks of these 
coves, and in the low lands between the three hills of 
Trimont, the houses of the little settlement were soon 
closely clustered. 

Here, on the site since occupied by Brazer's build- 
ing, was placed the first meeting-house, wherein 
from the beginning the townsmen met to consult 
also upon temporal aflfairs. 

In front of the meeting-house was a lot set apart 
for a market-place as early as 1634, and definitely 
recognized as such in the Book of Possessions in 



24 OLD STATE HOUSE; RE-DEDICATION. 

16io. It was, as it now is, the land enclosed by the 
two arms of the street, and its dimensions have never 
been lessened. On the southerly side of State street 
Capt. Robert Keayne lived, on the corner of our 
AVashington street, with two neighbors between him 
and the meeting-house, while Elder Leverett and 
two others owned the remaining lots. On the north 
side of State street John Cogan had built the first 
shop in Boston, on the corner of Washington street; 
and down the street were the lots of Rev. John 
Wilson and seven others. Opposite, on Washington 
street, John Leverett lived on tlie corner, with Rich- 
ard Parker soutli and west. 

Such were the first surroundings of this site,* until, 

' In Suffolk Deeds, iii., 380, are the depositions tiiken in July, 1C60, of 
Willi.am Colbron, J.inies Penn. and .James Johnson, in regard to the sale of 
the niceting-houso lot to Uobert Thompson, of London, now of Boston. The 
price paid was £100 sterling. The lot is described as follows : " being sixty 
sixu foote long abutting upon a lane that licth betweene the same & land 
lately appertaining unto Thomas Leverett, elder of said church, deceased, but 
now belonging to Isack Addington, on the north east side ; sixty two foote 
broad abutting upon the great strcete wherein the Towne House standeth, on 
the north west side; sixty four foote long abutting partly upon the great 
streete aforesaid and partly upon an ally that passcth betweene the same, St. 
the house & land of Henry Pliilli]>a, butclier, on tlie south west side : & 
being sixty foote broad abutting upon a lane that lieth between the same 
& the land lately belonging to Uobert Scott, deceased, and now in tlie poi-- 
session of his relict, on the south cast side." 

Thus we learn that the lot had a street or an alley on each side. The 
north-west alley was Pudding Lane, now Devonshire street. The other 
nlley-ways are still represented by Congress square. In 1 708, in the list of 
Blreels, etc., we And : " The way Leadingc from y" Exchange in King Street, 



OLD STATE HOUSE EE-DEDICATION. 25 

in 1640, the meeting-house, " being decayed and too 
small," was sold, and a new one was built on the site 
since occupied by Joy's Building. The site was in 
dispute, some wishing to put it on the Green, where 
the Old South stands. Winthrop, i., 318, writes: 
" Others, viz., the tradesmen especially, who dwelt 
about the market-place, desired it might stand still 
neai" the market, lest in time it should divert the 
chief trade from thence." In the meeting-house 

passing by Jlrs. Phillips into Water street, Pudding Lane. The way Lead- 
ing from King Street by the house of Isaac Addington, Esq', with y« returne 
into Pudding Lane, Half Square Court." In 173G, Half-square court was 
the lane "from Maccarty's corner turning into Pudding Lane." In 1800, 
Half-square court was " the way round the buildings back of the Post 
Office." 

This original purchaser, Robert Thompson, was of the family ennobled as 
Barons Haversham. His son or grandson, William Thompson, of Elsham, 
county Lincoln, had a son Robert and a daughter Mary, wife of Humphrey 
Edwin, of St. Albans, county Herts. The only daughter of this last, Eliza- 
beth Edwin, married Thomas Corbett, of Darnhall, county Chester, and 
14th January, 1802, Mr. and Mrs. Corbett sold to Thomas Dawes, of Bos- 
ton (Suff. Deeds, lib. 205, f. 105), their building on State street, called 
" Boston Buildings," and also the Thompson Farm, in Chelsea. August 21, 
182G (Suff. Deeds, lib. 312, f. 123), six of the Dawes' family sold an undi- 
vided half of a lot bequeathed to them by their grandfather, Thomas Dawes, 
to John Brazer, for $18,357.75. Later deeds show the purchase of the 
remainder at the same rate. There is a plan recorded with the deed, show- 
ing 2,388 feet in all, the lot having evidently been shorn of its original lines 
on Devonslure street and the corner on State street. Upon the death of 
Mr. Brazer, in 1828, this lot came to his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Brooks, who 
died in 18G7, and whose children own it. It is a remarkable fact, that a 
large lot of land on State street should have remained so long in two 
families. 



26 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

"the general and great quarter courts are kept," 
wi'ote Lechford in 1G40. That is to say, our uicip- 
ient Legislature and primitive courts of law were 
there held; as, of necessity, must have been con- 
vened all town-meetings. At that time there were 
about two hundred and fifty householders in Boston, 
representing a population of some fifteen hundred 
persons. Even in 1G85 only ninety votes were cast 
in town-meeting to elect deputies. (Sewall, i., 67.) 
For more than a quarter of a centuiy from the set- 
tlement of the town this provision was sufficient. 
But in 1G56 Capt. Keayne died, and his will proved 
that for years he had been devising benefits for his 
fellow-townsmen. Keayne was one of the founders 
of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. 
His controversy, in 1G42, mth Mrs. Sherman, about a 
stray pig, had brought the two houses of the 
magistrates and deputies to such disputes that they 
had resolved to sit in different chambers. (Wiuthrop, 
ii., IGO.) He was a merchant, and had been severely 
disciplined by the church for trying to make a profit 
on his ventures beyond the amount which the clergy 
thought proper. (Winthrop, i., 315.) We need 
not suspect Capt. Keayne of extortion, for theo- 
logians of that date had hardly escaped from the 
belief that all interest was usury and all profit a 
breach of Christian charity. Our merchant, how- 
ever, submitted to discipUne, and was restored to 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 27 

popular favor, being elected to the Legislatiu'e 
and otherwise employed by the town. For three 
years before his death he had been writing 
with his own hand that enormous will of one hun- 
di'ed and fifty-eight folio pages, now preserved on 
our probate records, by which he disposed of 
some four thousand pounds, — an enormous fortune 
in those days. "Writing laboriously and care- 
fully, evidently desiring that his money should 
be wisely expended, Keayne planned various ways 
of aiding his fellow-townsmen. One-half of his 
estate went to his son, the other to public uses. 
Three hundred pounds was for the Town House ; one 
liundred for the Granary; fifty to the Free School; fifty 
to the poor of his church ; one hundred to Harvard 
College; somewhat to the Artilleiy Company; many 
legacies to relatives, friends, and servants, — a whim- 
sical, generous, pathetic will, full of a desire to do 
good according to the best of his light. 

But the town of Boston was to receive one gift 
which would endure even to this day. Three hun- 
dred pounds were to be laid out in building a conduit 
and a market-place, " with some convenient room or 
two for the Courts to meet in both in summer and 
winter, and so for the Townsmen and Commissioners 
ill the same building or the like, and a convenient 
room for a library, and a gallery, or some other hand- 
some room for the elders to meet in ; also a room for 



28 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

an armoiy." There was to be a room for merchants, 
masters of ships, and strangers, as well as townsfolk. 
All this, with much repetition and amendment, is set 
forth in the will ; and the main part endured.^ 

In February, 1656-7, the Selectmen began to take 
action respectuig the legacy, and at the town-meet- 
mg in March, 1657, "Capt [Tliomas] Savage, Mr 
[Anthony] Stoddard, Mr [Jeremy] Houchin and 
Mr Ed [ward] Hutchinson" were chosen a committee 
" to consider of the modcll of the towne house to bee 
built, as concerning the charge thereof, and the most 
convenient place; as also to take the subscriptions 
of the inhabitants to propagate such a building ; and 
seasonably to make report to a publick townes 
meeting." Keayne had suggested Mr. [Thomas] 
Broughton and Mr. [John] Clarke, the chiinirgeon, 
as good persons to devise a j)lan; but these others 
were trusted citizens. 

Although no picture or plan of this first Town 
House has been preserved, we can get a very good 
idea of it from the papers preserved by the Massa- 
chusetts Historical Society. These documents were 
published in Mayor Wightman's address at the laying 

* See Appendix I. for a copy of this will. His autograph is 



'^StAt^ 1(ef^ut 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 29 

of the corner-stone of the present City Hull, and are 
reprinted in Appendix F of this volume. 

The committee of four, perhaps, reported to the 
town-meeting, for we find that on the 31st August, 
1G57, Thomas Marshall, Samuel Cole (not Cobb, as is 
printed in the address), William Paddy, Joshua 
Scottow, and Jeremy Houchin (of whom all but 
Houchin wei-e selectmen), " having full power given 
us " to engage the town for the payment for the 
house, appointed Edward Hutchinson and John Hull 
commissioners to attend the work. These two last- 
named agreed with Thomas Joy and Bartholomew 
Bernad to erect the building for the £300 of the 
Keayne legacy, and a further sum of £100, to be 
subscribed. 

We find, also, that, as the work progi'essed, it 
was evident that more money Avould be needed, and, 
therefore, some hundred and four patriotic citizens 
contributed the sum of £367.11. As the final pay- 
ment was £680, evidently this list contains nearly, if 
not quite, all the donors. 

The house was to be 36 feet wide and 66 feet long, 
set upon 21 pillars 10 feet high, projecting 3 feet 
over the pillars on each side. Moreover there was a 
walk on the top, 14 or 15 feet wide, with two turrets, 
and balusters and rails round the walk. There were 
to be two pair half-paced stairs, and turned stairs up 
into the walk. We infer that there were two rooms, 



30 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

one from each end chimney coming towards the 
centre, with a staircase at each end, and that one 
of these halls was subdivided into two rooms. Good 
floors, windows, mantel-pieces, gutters, and other 
details are specified, showing that the town intended 
to have a good building. 

Exactly when the first Towi House was completed 
and occupied does not appear by the records, though 
the contract with Joy andBevnad specifies that it was 
to be erected by June 30, 1658, and covered and 
shingled Avithin six weeks later. 

Iklay 19, 1658, the General Court passed the fol- 
lowing order (Kec, iv., p. 327) : — 

" 1q answer to the requestor the Select men of Boston, the court 
judgeth it meet to allow unto Boston, for and towards the charges 
of their town-house, Boston's proportion of one single country rate 
for this year ensuing, provided that sufficient rooms in the said 
house shall be forever free, for the keeping of all Courts, and also 
that the place underneath shall be free for all inhabitants in this 
jurisdiction to make use of as a market for ever, without payment 
of any toll or tribute whatsoever." 

Tlie Selectmen of Boston voted March 28, 1659, 
that no one should smoke or bring a fire or match 
under or about the Town House except in case of 
military exercise; so that the building was probably 

then ready. 

Feb. 28, 1660-01, a settlement was ordered with 
Thomas Joy and partner " for the building of the 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 31 

towne-house stayi'e cases and Conduit" by paying 
therefor six hundred and eighty pounds, deducting 
what has been paid. 

Oct. 9, 1G67, the Legislature ordered " the neces- 
sary full and suitable repair of the Town and Court 
House in Boston, founded hy the late Captain Robert 
Keayne,^^ one-half of the expense to be paid by the 
country, one-quarter by the county of Suffolk, one- 
quarter by the town of Boston. May 31, 1671, they 
ordered, on the same terms, " by a firm whole wall to 
the bottom of the braces, with brick or stone to re- 
pair the Court or Town House, so that all inconven- 
iences by rotting the timbers &c. be prevented." 

Josselyn, who was here in 1663, says, in his 
account pi-inted three years later, that there is in 
Boston " a Town House built upon pillars, where 
the Merchants may confer; in the Chambers above, 
they keep their monthly Courts." 

John Dunton, in 1686, merely repeats the same 
words. From items in the town records it seems 
that Richard Taylor hired the shop under the stairs 
at the west end of the Town House in 1661, and in 
1669 he obtained an extension of his term for sixty- 
one years. In 1666 Robert Gibbs obtained a lease 
of the cellar under the Town House; and in 1664 
Thomas Lake and Hezekiah Usher seem to have 
been in possession of the east end of the cellar. In 
1678 Samuel Shrimpton bought out Lake's interest 



32 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICAJION. 

from his widow, and obtained an extension of the 
lease for thirty-nine years. "Oct. 28, 1(586, let to 
John Hayward, notary, the small shop or room in 
the westerly end of the Town House, lately occu- 
pied by Nathaniell Barnes, for 21 years at the rent 
of ten shillings annually." 

We may therefore safely assume that, as the 
building was raised on pillars, the lower floor was 
partly partitioned off for shops, leaving a large 
space for the daily exchange. As early as 16G1 
a bell was ordered to be rung at eleven o'clock 
every working day, to give notice of the assem- 
bling there for one hour of merchants, strangers, 
and inhabitants. In 1()83 it was voted "that a 
note set up under the Town House upon one of 
the pillars, concerning the price of wheat, shall be 
sufficient notice to the leakers to size their bread by, 
according to law." May 11, 1(390, "agreed that 
the market appointed by law should be in and about 
the Town House, and be opened on August 11th, 
next." 

Upstairs we find that there were three rooms, 
one probably for the Governor and Council, and 
one for the Representatives; and naturally there 
would be also some antei'ooms. Although tlie first 
building covered less ground than there is in the 
present lot, it was probably because there was 
more space at the east and weet ends. The first 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. H3 

house was 66 feet long, the present 110, but the 
exti'a space was in the street. In fact, the French 
niap^ by Frauquehn, made in 1693, represents the 
space occupied by the Town House to be as large 
as the present ground. 

The other portions of Keayne's plans did not prove 
so permanent. In 1684 and in 1695 mention is made 
of the Town's Library; but it was perhaps lost in 
the fire, 1711. As to his Conduit, we know that it 
failed m some twelve years. It was doubtless to 
be constructed in imitation of the structures then 
common in England. " They are a kind of stone 
cage or cap, under cover of which the conduit pipe 
rises to the top and then lets down its stream; 
sometimes openly (the cap being a cage), some- 
times unseen, to a reservoir near the bottom." * 
The waste-water was allowed to escape by paved 
gutters, or otherwise to seek the earth. Doubt- 
less Captain Keayne expected to utilize the sjirings 
near his house as a supply of water for daily use, 
and " especially in case of fire." But such open 
streams were unsuited to this climate; and that feat- 
ure of Enghsh towns could not be imitated here. 
In March, 1672 (Towti Records, ii., 66), it was 

' A careful copy of this map is in our Public Library, and heliotypes there- 
from have been freely issued. 

* Prof. William Everett has kindly furnished the above description from 
his observation in England. 



:jl OLD STATE noUSlC liE-DEDICATION. 

voted that, as the work "by the Pro\ndence of God 
hath not proved so usel'iil as was expected and 
desired," by an agreement with the overseers of 
Keayne's will, "liberty was given to Mr. Xicholas 
Page to take away the bricks belonging to the 
place intended for a conduit at the end of the Town 
House, before his door, provided he immediately fill 
the place even with the ground about it." As Page 
had bought of the town its half of the new house, 
adjoining Keayne's old one, which K.'s overseers 
had given in payment of the legacy, it is clear that 
the conduit was planned to be on the south fork of 
State street, beside the Town House. 



The first building stood from 1G58 to 1711, when 
it was burned in a terrible conflagration. In it pre- 
sided Governors Endicott, Bellingham, Leverett, and 
Bradstreet, under the old charter; Andros, under the 
orders of King James; and Phips, Stoughton, Bcllo- 
mont, and Joseph Dudley under the new chaiter. 
Through many perils — from Indian foes, from 
English tyranny, and from domestic treachery — the 
settlement steadily increased in population and 
wealth during these fifty-three years. It is estimated 
by Shattuck that the population of Boston was, in 
A.D. 1680, four thousand five hundred persons; in 
A.D. 1G90, seven thousand persons; in A.D. 1700, 



OLD STATE HOUSE nE-DEDICATION. 35 

six thousand seven hundred persons; in A.D. 1710, 
nine thousand persons. 

At one time, indeed, in 1G89, this To^vii House was 
the centre of a revolution. In April of that year 
the colonists, inspired by the news that William of 
Orange had landed in England, took the desperate 
resolve to rebel against King James and his gov- 
ernor here. It was a rash venture ; but it succeeded. 
Within the previous year Andros, a veteran soldier 
of large experience, had constructed on the neighboi- 
ing height a fortification, which gave its name to 
Port Hill. He had royal troops under his command, 
and a man-of-war was anchored off the shore. But 
the leaders of the people assembled at the Town 
House in Boston, supported by the bold and resolute 
freemen of the colony, and in a smgle day the royal 
authority was overthrown.* It should be forever 
remembered that, although a like success in England 
at the same time secured the immunity of these Bos- 

' In Byfield's Account, reprinted in the Andros Tracts, he states that 
Gov. Andros, having been captured at the Fort, was " conveyed to the 
Council-house, where Mr. Bradstrect and the rest of the Gentlemen waited 
to receive him." Hutchinson, i., 381, says, "A long declaration was read 
from a balcony or gallery of the Towne House." Beside this there was a 
broadside issued, subscribed by Wait VVinthrop, Simon Bradstreet, and thir- 
teen others, dated " at the Town House in Boston, April 18, 1689," stating 
to Gov. Andros that " We judge it necessary you forthwith surrender and 
deliver up the Government and Fortification, to be preserved and disposed 
according to Order and Direction from the Crown of England, which 
suddenly is expected may arrive." 



36 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

tonians, the actors here were then ignorant of that 
event, and for at least a month they were open and 
avowed rebels. Xor can it be doubted that the 
whole course of our history Avas immensely influ- 
enced by the fact that, when "William and Mary 
ascended the thi'one, they found the colony of Massa- 
chusetts so far distinguished from other colonies as 
to have fought independently for its rights. This 
old Town House was the first shrine of liberty; and 
every subsequent act can be clearly shown to be the 
natural and logical consequence of that first uprising 
of a free people. 



As the centre of the town this old hall must have 
witnessed many stirring scenes. Unfortunately, 
until we reach the date of Sewall's invaluable Diary, 
we have no warrant for the details. 

Sewall (i., 138) notes, mider date of May 17, 1686, 
" General Court sits at one o'clock, I goe thither 
about 3. The Old Government draws to the 
North-side, Mr. Addington, Capt. Smith and I sit 

at the Table, there not being room 

Came also Capt. of King's Frigot Gov'. Hinkly, 
Gov'. West and sate on the Bench, and the Room 
pretty well filled with Spectators in an Instant." 
May 18 he mentions a great wedding celebrated at 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 37 

Mr. Shi-impton's by Mr. Randolph's chaplain, " Avhen 
Prayer was had at the Town House." 

May 20, 1686, he notes that Mr. Ratcliflfe and the 
Episcopalians asked to have one of the three 
churches to preach in. " That is dcnyed and he is 
,ij:ranted the East-End of the Town House, where the 
Deputies used to meet, until those who desire his 
^Ministry shall provide a fitter place." 

Dec. 20, 1686, Gov. Andros arrives, " lands at 
Gov'. Leverett's wharf about 2 P.M. when the 
President, &c., meet him, and so march up through 
the Guards of the 8 Companyes to the Town House 
where part of the Commission read." 

December 25, 1 686. " Governour goes to the 
Town House to Service Forenoon and Afternoon, a 
Red-Coat going on his right hand and Capt. George 
on his left." January 31, 1686-7. "There is a 
meeting at the Town House forenoon and afternoon : 
Bell rung for it, respecting the beheading Charles 
the First: Governour there." 

AprU 26, 1687. "Court sits. President in the 
Governour's seat, Mr. Stoughton at his right hand, 
Col. Shrimpton next him; Mr. Lynde at his left 
hand. Major Lidget nest him." 

Prom these notes we infer that before Andros's 
time the Deputies had the chamber on the east end. 
Afterwards the Supreme Court held its sessions 
in the room appropriated to the Governor and 



38 OLD STATE HOUSE UE-DEDICATION. 

Council, which probably was the same East Chamber, 
as the Deputies were no part of the government 
under the Andros administration. This room, hav- 
ing once become the property of the Governor and 
Council, seems to have remained in use by them 
until the Kevolution. 

On May 14, 1G92, Sir William Phips arrived, the 
first governor under the Second or Provincial Char- 
ter." Sewall writes (Diary, i., 360) : " Sir William 
arrives in the !N"onsuch Frigat: Candles are lighted 
before he gets into Town-house. Eight Companies 
wait on Him to his house, and then on Mr. Mather 
to his. Made no volleys because 'twas Satterday 
night." "Monday, May 10. Eight Companies and 
two fi'oin Charlcstown guard Sir William and his 
Councillors to the Town-house where the Commis- 
sions are read and Oaths taken." Boston, at this 
date, had not far from one thousand houses and 
seven thousand inhabitants (Palfrey, iv., 136) ; but 
at the election of a representative in May, 1698, 

'Palfrey (Hist., iii., 590) thus describes tlie scene: " From far anrt near 
llic people flocked into Boston; the government, attended by the principal 
pcntlcmen of the capital and the towns around, passed in procession on 
horseback through the thoroughfares ; the regiment of the town and com- 
panies and troops of horse and foot from the country, lent their pomp to 
the show ; there was a great dinner at the Town Uouse for the better sort ; 
wine was served out in the streets ; and the evening was made noisy with 
aiclamati<ms, till the bell rang at nine o'clock, and families met to thank 
God at the domestic alt.ir, for causing the great sorrow to pass away, and 
giving 11 Protestant King and Queen to England." 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDIOATION. 39 

when there was a spirited contest, only three hun- 
di-ed and eighteen votes were cast. (Sewall, i., 
480.) 

Phips's administration lasted only two years and n 
half, and is forever darkened by the shadow of the 
witchcraft delusion and its judicial murders. Hap- 
pily for us, none of the sentences were pronounced 
in Boston; though at the last court held here 
one Mary Watkins, a servant, despite the ver- 
dict of the jury, was imprisoned by order of the 
court, and sold into bondage in Virginia. (Drake, 
Hist., 503.) Hutchmson (Hist., ii., 61) relates that 
Dame Mary Phips, the governor's wife, was ap- 
plied to in behalf of a woman held for trial for 
witchcraft. 

"The good lady, propria virtute, granted and 
signed a warrant for the woman's discharge, Avhich 
was obeyed by the keeper, and the woman lives still 
for aught I know." It is fair to conclude that the 
document was in the usual form, and was taken 
from the official papers in the governor's chamber. 
We may safely infer that in this building the first 
female governor exercised her rights, and we may 
rejoice that the usurpation was for the glorious pre- 
rogative of pardon. 

From !N"ovember, 1094, to June, 1702, the govern- 
ment was mainly in the hands of Lieut. Governor 
Stoughton, though for a year the Earl of Bellomont 



40 OLD STATE HOUSE KE-DEDICATION. 

was the nominal governor. Just before the arrival 
of Bellomont, news was received of the rejection 
of several of our laws by the home government. 
Sewall (i., 490) thus describes the scene: "Drum is 
beat and Allowance and Disallowance of the Acts is 
published. Lieutenant Governor [Stoughton] and 
Council standing in the Gallery. Great many 
Auditors below." 

Sewall records (Diary, i., 458), that on September 
8, 1G97, "the Governour and Council first meet in the 
Council Chamber, as it is now fitted with ceiUng, 
Glazing, Painting, new Floor that brings it to a 
Level; New Hearth even with it." This meeting 
was made noteworthy by the announcement by Col. 
Pierce that limestone had been discovered at New- 
bury, — a matter of the highest importance, as, up to 
that time, the colonists had been obliged to burn 
oyster-shells for lime. Nov. 14, 1698, a rate of 
£00 was ordered for the repairing of the Town 
House, and no other use. 

Another day of excitement in the old building 
must have been that one in July, 1699, when Captain 
William Kidd was examined by Lord Bellomont and 
his Council, charged with many notorious piracies. 
Research, which destroys so many illusions, shows 
us that the noted pirate was far from being so 
wicked or so bloodthirsty as fame reported, and 
certainly reveals a strong infusion of poltroonery in 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 41 

his character. The muse, however, promptly re- 
corded of him: — 

" My name was William Kidd, 
As I sailed, as I sailed, 
And most wickedly I did, 
As I sailed." 

As an evidence of the various uses to which the 
building was put, we find that in 1701, " because of 
the Rain and Mist," the election of captain of the 
Ancient and Honorable Ai'tillery Company was held 
in the Town House, when the choice fell upon Judge 
Sewall. " They calFd down the Council out of the 
Chamber and set their chairs below: Col. Pynchon 

gave the Staves and Ensign Drew 

out before Mr. Usher's, gave three volleys; di'ew 
into the Town House again." Then Rev. Mr. Pem- 
berton prayed, and the company escorted their 
commander safely home. So again in 1702, " rainy 
day, we exercise on the Town House in the Morn." 

On May 28, 1702, news arrived at Boston of the 
death of King William. 

" And at last the Gazette, containing the Proclaim- 
ing of the Queen came to hand. Then we resolved 
to proclaim her Majesty here. Regiment drawn up, 
and Lifc-Guard of House; Council, Representatives, 
Ministers, Justices, Gentlemen, taken withm the 
Guard. Mr. Secretary, on foot, read the order of 
the Council, the Proclamation and Queen's Procla- 



42 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

mation for continuing Commissions. Mr. Sheriflf 
Gookin gave it to the people. Volleys. Guns. 
Went into chamber to drink." (Sewall, ii., 56.) 

June 1, 1703. " Town-meeting is held in the old 
Meeting-house because of the General Assembly; 
2 p.m. Voters two hundred and six." This entry of 
Sewall confirms our suspicion that the Legislature 
had the fii'st claim to occupy the building. In March, 
170G-7, the records show that the town meeting was 
held in the old meeting-house. 

In 1704 Captain John Quelch and five other 
pirates were tried here, and sentenced to be hung. 
The sentence was executed June 30. Sewall gives 
us at this time the following picture: "As the 
Governor [Dudley] sat at the Council-Table 'twas 
told him Madam Paige [his niece] was dead. He 
clap'd his hands, and quickly went out, and 
return'd not to the Chamber again; but ordered 
Mr. Secretary to prorogue the Court till the 16th of 
August, which Mr. Secretary did by going into the 
House of Deputies." (Sewall, ii., 109.) 

Sewall records on February 6, 1707-8 : " Queen's 
Birthday. I could not find it in my heart to go to 
the Town House, because hardly anything is pro- 
fessedly there done but drinldng Healths." 

1708-9, January G. " Presently after Lecture, the 
Act of Parliament regulating Coin is published by 
Beat of Drum and Sound of Trumpet." (Sewall, ii.. 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 43 

2i8.) Undoubtedly from the balcony of the Council 
Chamber. 

March 13, 1709-10. " General Town Meeting. Mr. 
Cotton Mather went to Prayer; I stood in the Lobby, 
then went into the Council Chamber. Constable 

came to me and siu-prised me with telling me 

that I was Chosen Moderator. I went in, and they 
would have me sit on the Seat, which I did." (Sewall, 
ii., 275.) 

From this entry it seems that the town meetings 
were held in the Representatives' Hall, which could 
well hold the citizens, as the voters only numbered 
about two hundred. Other entries make it probable 
that the Supreme Court also used that room, the 
Council Chamber serving as a consultation room 
for the judges. 

In 1711 the town was much agitated by the 
arrival of some fifteen men-of-war and seven thou- 
sand troops destined for an attack on Quebec. 
There were abundant festivities and solemn ex- 
change of courtesies between the English and our 
local authorities. The ignominious failure of the ex- 
pedition was a sad blow to Massachusetts, although 
the loss of life was confined mainly to the ships of 
the British portion of the fleet. 

To add to the general depression, a great fire in 
Boston occurred " about 7 or 8 o'clock of the night 
between the 2d and 3d of October." " It broke out 



44 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEIJICATION. 

in an old Tenement within a back Yard in Cornhill 
(i.e., our Washington street), near the First Meeting- 
house, occasioned by the carelessness of a poor 
Scottish Woman (one Mary Morse), by using Fire 
near a parcel of Ocum, Chips, and other comlmstible 
Rubbish." This spot was in or near Williams' 
Court. " All the houses on both sides of Cornhill 
[Washington street] from School street to what 
is called the stone-shop in Dock-square, all the 
upper part of King street [State sti'eet] on the south 
and north side, together with the Town House, and 
what was called the Old Mectmg-House above 
it, were consumed to ashes." (Hutchinson, ii., 
200.) 

Thus ended, after half a century's use, the first 
To\vn House which has stood on this si^ot. Of 
course it was necessary to replace it at once ; and on 
the 17th of October the Selectmen of Boston ad- 
dressed the Legislature, asking its " Advice and 
Direction for the Restoring and Rebuilding of the 
House for those Publick Uses, and about the place 
where to set the same." ' 

A joint committee of four councillors and seven 
deputies, with Elisha Hutchinson, chairman, was at 
once appointed, who recommend that a new house 
be built " in or near where the Old Toavu House 
stood," the " breadth not to exceed thirty-six feet, the 

' Sco Appendix B for copies of the acts, ond otlicr votes. 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 45 

length so as to be convenient." " The charge to be 
borne the one half by the Province, the other half by 
the Town of Boston and County of SuflTolk in equal 
Proportion." 

Accordingly, a new committee was appointed, viz. : 
Elisha Hutchinson and Penn Townsend, councillors, 
Addington Davenport, Samuel Thaxter and Capt. 
Phipps, deputies, to attend to the affair, with two 
persons to be added by the town of Boston. The 
town assented, and joined Thomas Brattle and 
William Payne. 

March 12, 1711-12, the Legislature voted, as 
instructions to the committee, that the building be 
not more than one hundred and twelve feet nor less 
than one hundred and ten feet in length. I^ovember 
17, 1712, they voted as instructions to the committee, 
" that they fit the East Chamber for the Use of His 
Excellency the Governor and the Honorable the 
Council, the Middle Chamber for the House, the 
West Chamber for the Superior and Inferior Courts." 
And " that there be but two Offices below Stairs in 
the Province and Court House now Building in 
Boston, one for the Secretary, the other for the Reg- 
ister of Deeds in the County of Suffolk." 

Although we do not know who designed the brick 
building which speedily arose on the site, we can 
to-day inspect its sturdy walls and recognize the 
influence of the Queen Anne period. It is beyond 



46 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

controversy that the fire of 1747 and the various 
changes which have been made in the building, in 
no way affected the exterior walls. We are to-day 
assembled in a building which dates back to A.D. 
1713, and we can form a correct idea of its original 
and ever continuing appearance. 

In 1720 Daniel Neal printed his "Present State 
of New England," and thus describes the building in 
its earliest days : — 

" From the Head of the Peer you go up the chief Street of ilie 
Town, at the upper End of which is the Town House or Exchange ; 
a fine Piece of Building, containing besides the Walk for the 
Merchants, the Council Chamber, the House of Commons, and 
another spacious Room for the Sessions of the Coui-ts of Justice, 
the Exchange is surrounded with Booksellers Shops, which have a 
good Trade." (Neal, p. 587 ) 

In 1708 it was computed that Boston had twelve 
or thirteen thousand inhabitants ; in 1720, eighteen or 
twenty thousand. (Neal, GOl.) The Council con- 
sisted of twenty-eight members, the House of one 
hundred and three. (Neal, 605.) 

During the eighteen months which were needed 
for rebuilding the Town House, the town meetings 
were held as follows: Nov. IG, 1711, in Rev. Mr. 
Colman's meeting-house in Brattle street; March, 
1712, in the same; March, 1712-13, at the south 
meeting-house, and May 13, 1713, in the new Town 
House. Scwall records (ii., 387), May 28, 1713, — 



OLD STATE HOUSE KE-DEDICATION. 47 

"All the Councillors are sworn except Major 
Brown, who was not in Town. In the afternoon 
I declar'd to the Council that Prayer had been too 
much neglected formerly; we were now in a New 
House, we ought to Reform; without it, I would 
not be there. Mr. Secretary assented, and I was 
desired to see it effected. May 29. Dr. Increase 
Mather prays Excellently in the Council." 

For some years at least this custom of beginning 
a session of the Council with prayer was con- 
tinued. 

It seems from Sewall's notes that there was a larsre 
table in the council-chamber, at which the members 
sat, and that the Governor occupied the head of it.' 

•Oct. 15, 1713, Sewall records (ii., 402) : "I observ'd Two Leather Cluiira 
were set at the end of the Council Table and the Elbow Chair set aside. 
But when Gen'. Nicholson staid not to sit down, they were remov'd, and the 
Governor's Arm'd Chair took place again." 

Feb. 6, 1713-14. "I went to the Town House on the occasion of the 
Queen's Birthday. Mr. Bromfield and I sat awhile in one of the windows, 
Table being full ; afterwards sat in." Later on that evening, one Mr. Net- 
maker, secretary to Gen. Nicholson, was drunk and disorderly in a tavern 
and Sewall ordered his arrest. On March 9th Sewall was at a meeting of 
the Council. " Sat round a little Fire. I happen'd to sit ne.xt Gen'. Nicli- 
olson. . . . Then with a Roaring Noise the General said, ' I demand Justice 
against Mr. Sewall and Pemberton for sending my Secretary to prison 
without acquainting me with it ! ' And hastily rose up, and went down and 
walk'd tlie Exchange, where he was so furiously Loud, that the Noise was 
plainly heard in the Council-Chamber, tlie door being shut." 

Sept. 24th, 1715. The Governor comes to Town. Flagg [the messenger] 
warns [the Council to meet]. Governor sits by the side of the Table facing 
to the South; Lt. Governor [Tailer] in one of the South windows. The 



48 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-L>EDICATION. 

It is a fair inference that tliis table reached from the 
east window towards the door, and if so it was in 
conformity to our New England custom, by which the 
minister or other presiding officer is so mvariably 
placed in front of a window. 

To this council-chamber the deputies were sum- 
moned, and committees of that body were here re- 
ceived. At such conferences the Governor was not 
allowed to take part, though on one occasion at least 
he remained in the room. There was a " closet," 
probably one of the anterooms opening from the 
chamber, to which the Governor could withdraw for 
private consultation;^ and perhaps the other ante- 
room was needed for the accommodations of the 
twenty-eight councillors. 

It seems that in this chamber the Overseers of Har- 

Commissions were produced and Read, Oaths given. ... At length the 
Governor dictated to the Clerk to this purpose. Whether the Government 
was devolved on the Lieutenant Governor, the Commission of Gov'. Bur- 
gess nor any copy of it, not bein? arrived. It was, nemine contradiccnte, 
carried in the Negative." (Scwall, iii., SO.) 

'"Feb. 12, 171T-18. I salute Cousin Quincy in Council. . . . The 
Govcrnour calls me into the Closet and tells me lie would make me Chief 
Judge." (Sewall, iii., 168.) 

"Feb. 25, 1718-19. The judges meet p.m. in the Council Chamber, 
before the Meeting of the Council. . . . Then, in the Closet, voted it con- 
venient to liave two Clerks." (Sewall, iii., L'l". ) 

"Dec. 10, 1722. His E.\cellency took me aside to the Soutli-East win- 
dow of the Council Cliamber to speak to nie. . . . Dec. 21. The Governor 
took me to the window again looking Eastward, next Mrs. Phillips', and 
spake to me aijain." (Sewall, iii., 315.) 



OLD STATE UOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 49 

yard College met at times, as did the Commissioners 
of the Society for propagating the Gospel among the 
Indians, March 27, 1729 (Sewall, iii., 395). Once, 
March 29, 1720 (Sewall, iii., 248), the "Inspectors 
of the Grammar Schools " of Boston met there. The 
chamber was also used as a consultation room for the 
judges.'" ^N'otwithstanding the order to construct a 
west room for the courts, it is very doubtful if this 
were really done. In 1717 Sewall speaks of a trial 
held in the old meeting-house opposite, while sentence 
was pronoimced in the court chamber." Was not this 
the chamber of the Great and General Court, that is, 
our House of Representatives? When the fire of 1747 
took place, mention is made of the " Council Cham- 
ber, the Chamber of the House of Representatives 
and the Apartments thereof, in that Story." Another 
account speaks of " the Council Chamber" and "both 
the Lobbies," and also the " Offices kept in the Upper 
Story " ; but it says " the County Records and Papers 
belonging to the Inferior Court being deposited in an 

""Feb. 13, 1718-19. All the Judges desired to be at the Governor's 
house at 5 p.m. Met accordingly. . . . The Judges went to the Council 
Chamber, &c., &c." 

" " May 9, 1717. Jeremy Phenix arraigned in the Court Chamber. 10. 
Try'd in the old Meeting-house. Mr. Auckmooty was Counsel for the 
Prisoner and had family with him in the Fore-seat of the Women, though 
he be bound over for notorious words against the Government." "May 
11th. I pass'd Sentence upon Phenix, the Chief Justice being absent 
This was done in the Court Chamber." (Sewall, iii., 130.) 



50 OLD STATE HOUSE HE-DEDICATION". 

Office upon the lower Floor, Avcre most of tlieni pre- 
served." 

There is i)roor that the ( 'ouiieil Chaiaher was the 
scene of festivities on state occasions, such as the 
birthday of tlie sovereign oi- his accession, the arrival 
of a new governor, etc.'" Here also were held jjuIj- 
lic funerals, as in tlie case of Fitz-John NNiiithrop.'^ 
From the balcony, at the east end, it was customary 
to proclaim the laws, with sound of trumpets and 

"October 5, 171G, Gov. Shute arrived in Roston. "Ministers met the 
Governor a little before he got to the Town House. Col. Joseph Dudley 
nearer, and went up and sat with the Council. Col. Tailer met the Governor 
at the Stairs, and took place of Lt.-Gov. Duramer : and when Dummer was 
sworn, gave him the place. Gov. [Shute], Lt. Gov. [Dummer] laid their 
hands on the Bible, and Kissed it very industriously." (Sewall, iii., 105.) 

The return of Gov. Shirley, Nov. 7, 1745, after the surrender of Louis- 
burg, was here celebrated (S. G. Drake, Hist., p. H'il), and so, also, on June 
24, 174G, was the arrival of Gen. Pepperell and Admiral Warren. On the 
l.Htli Sept., 174;t, the indemnity voted by Parliament arrived, ainountiiij; to 
£183,049. At that time a pound sterling ecjUalled eleven pounds old tenor, 
or thirty shillings new tenor, so great had been the depreciation of paper 
money. 

""March 23, 1714-15. Mr. Addington [the late Secretary] buried from 
the Council Chamber; 'twas a sad spectacle." (Sewall, iii., 41.) 

"Nov. 14th, 1717. Attended the Funeral of Major-General Winthrop. 
The Corpse was carried to the Town House tlie night before : now buried 
from the Council Chamber. Bearers, his Excellency the Governor [Shute], 
Gov. Dudley: Lt. Gov. Dummer, Col. Taylor: C<d. Elisha Sewall, Samuel 
.Sewall, Scarfs ;ind Kings. The Regiment attended in Arms. Mr. John 
AVinthrop led the Widow. 'Twas past five before we went. The Streets 
were crowded with people: was laid in (Jov, Winthrop's Tomb in Old 
Burial Place." (Sewall, iii., 147.) 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-nEniCATION. 51 

beat of drums;" and doubtless from so convenient 
an elevation, loyal addresses were delivered to the 
assembled townsmen on occasion. 

As it happens, we know much less of the arrange- 
ment of the Representatives' Hall at this period, as 
our chief authority, Sewall, was a councillor and 
judge. We know that the number of deputies was 
one hundred and three in 1720, and as new towns 
were corporated, the number rose to about one 
hundred and twenty-five. 

The speaker was annually chosen, and the choice 
submitted to the governor, who rarely negatived. 
In 1705, Thomas Oakes; in 1720, Elisha Cook; in 
1739, Paul Dudley; in 1741, Samuel Watts; in 1766, 
James Otis, were respectively chosen and set aside. 
The House also elected a clerk, but the office was 
generally continued from year to year. 

The forms of the House were probably copied 
from those of Parliament, the council figuring as 
our House of Lords. The will of the Governor 
was signified by messages or speeches; the wishes 
of the deputies by committees and by messages. 
Hutchinson says (ii., 259) , apropos of a quarrel be- 
tween Governor Dudley and the House about the 

i< "Feb. 4th, 17H-15. Drew up ii Proclamation. . . . Publish Vl it by 
Beat of Drum. Paper was sullied with the Rain. Mr. Hiller read it out of 
the Council-Chamber Gallery. Col. Checkley, .Major Fitch, Capt Abijah 
Savage, &c., present." (Sewall, iii., 38.) 



52 OLD STATK HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

power of adjournment, "It has always been the prac- 
tice of the House, before and since, upon a message 
from the Governor, to stoj) all l)usiness and go up 
without delay." It seems also that divisions of tlie 
House were made by going to the north and south 
sides." We infer from this that the speaker sat at 
the west end, facing the main doors, and that 
the deputies were marshalled by him on cither 
hand. 

The town records contain but very little informa- 
tion in regard to the Town House from 1711 to 
1747. 

The following items are all that have been gleaned 
by an examination of the indices to the volumes. 

Sept. 25, 17 IG, the selectmen, learning that a sale 
of a ship had been appointed by the Comt of 
Admii'alty " at the place where the Court is held,"' 
voted that " the management of a Publick sale in the 
Town House is forreign from the declared Intentions 
in Erecting thereof, and that such a President may 
be of 111 Tendency." 

April 27, 1711), "Mr. John Flagg is directed to 
cleanse the Windows of the Town House." 

""June null, 1717. Council doclared that Cambridge is the Shire-town 
for Midillescx." " 14. Tlio Deputies Concur. Could not tidl l)_v liflinj; \ip 
llif Iliinds, were fain to divide the House. They for Canibriilj^e went to the 
North side, tliey for Charlestown to the South. Cambridge had 4fi, Charles- 
town 41, a,s Brother Northend, one of the Monitors, informed me." (Sewall, 
lii., 132.) 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 53 

1717-1718. Benjamin Bngnald agrees to make a 
Town Clock " and if desired he will make the same 
to go as an eight day Clock in the place where it 
now stands." April 25, 173."). Bagnald is to take 
care of the Town clock at the Old Meeting House, 
for one year, for £10. 

Feb. 13, 1733-4. The selectmen voted " that to- 
morrow at three of the clock the select men meet at 
the Town House to view the small arms lodged in 
the Town's Armoury, and that Mr. Treat, gunsmith, 
be ordered to attend and assist at the view." Ac- 
cordingly, Messrs. Treat and Miller, gunsmiths, 
" were directed to proceed with all the expedition 
possible to the cleaning the arms, and putting them 
in order for us, when occasion shall require." 

Feb. 25, 1733-4. " Voted that speedy care be taken 
to fit up a proper office for the Town Clerk, for 
reposing and securing his books, and that it be in 
]iart of the Green Chamber." 

July 13, 1736, the selectmen voted " to repair the 
balcony at the east end of the Town House, fronting 
King St." 

Aug. 27, 1736, voted also "to order the new paint- 
ing the sun Dials on the Town House, and to clear 
the gutters and water-spouts belonging to it." 

June 14, 1738. They voted " to put a good and 
substantial post at each corner of the westerly end 
of the Town House to prevent damage by carts." 



54 OLD STATK HOUSE KE-DKDICATION. 

July 20, 17J}8, ''to take care that the easterly 
stairs of the ToAvn House be repaired." 

Oct. 31, 1739. They leased for one year, foi- £30, 
to Joseph Savell, wine cooper, two cellars under the 
Town House lately occupied by Jonathan Williams 
and James Townsend : viz., one at the south-west cor- 
ner and the other at the north-east corner. In 1741 
these were let respectively to Samuel Wentworth and 
John Gooch. Dec. 24, 1740, John Buttolj)h leased a 
cellar there, formerly occupied by his father, for £22. 

Aug-. 3, 1 743, " the east end of the Town House 
to be put in impairs and other necessary repairs 
within side." 

Sept. 5, 1744, "voted to repair the cliinuicys in the 
Town House." 

In this chamber, from 1711 to 1747, presided as 
Governor, Joseph Dudley, William Tailer,^^ Samuel 
Shute, William Dummer, Jonathan Belcher and 
"William Shirley, all upiight a^id worthy men, but all 
of them so hampered by restrictions from the home 
government, as to be frequently involved in disjnites 
Avith the representatives of the people. During this 
period the ])opulation increased steadily from eleven 
thousand in 171.") to seventeen thousand in 1744, 
though after the last date it remained stationary or 
slightly decreased. 



" Toiler and Dummer were Lieutenant Governors, acting in tlie place of 
the Oovcrnors. 



OLD STATE HOUSE KE-DEUICATION. o5 

It was in tliis chamber that there was phmueil, 
in 174:6, the mihtary enterprise which was the 
Ijroudest boast of our provincial history. In Janu- 
ary of that year Gov. Shirley laid before the 
Legislature, under a pledge of secrecy, his project 
of capturing Louisburg from the French, by means 
of provincial troops only. On January 25 the 
consent of the House was carried by a single 
vote. William Pepperell, a member of the Council, 
was given command, and by April 1 our troops 
had arrived at Canso. The fortunate arrival of 
Admiral Warren, with a considerable fleet, was 
one of the many lucky accidents which turned 
this quixotic scheme into a glorious success. On 
June 17 the fortress surrendered, and the " Gib- 
raltar of America" became our prize. 

It was a splendid victory, for it gave assurance 
to England that a new military power had arisen 
in her colonies, and one thus far entirely loyal 
to the crown. As Palfrey says, "As things 
turned out, it is not too much to say that the 
capture of Louisburg gave peace to Europe." 

It was not until the following year that Pep- 
perell was able to receive the deserved honors 
which his countrymen were ready to shower 
upon him. 

The Boston Evening Post, for INIonday, June 
30, 17J:G, describes the arrival, on the preceding 



56 OLD STATE HOUSE KE-DEDICATION. 

Tuesday, of his Majesty's Ship " Chester," of 50 
guns, bringing Adniii-al Peter AVarren and Sir 
WilUani Peppertll. The Governor met them at 
Castle WilUam, and, hmding at Long wharf about 
live o'clock, " they Avere received and congratulated 
by the Honourable Gentlemen of his Majesty's 
Council and House of Kepresentatives, and being 
attended l)y his Excellency's Company of Cadets 
under anus, made a handsome procession to the 
Council ( "iianil)cr."" 

Then the Speaker and tlir House ])roceedcd to 
the Council Chamber, where a brief address was 
made to Warren and I'epperell, wiio as briefly 
replied. Lati-r a connnittee of the House was 
appointed to congratulate lirigadier General Sanuiel 
Waldo, " on his safe return to his native country." 

Tt was from the veterans of the French wars 
of this period that the heroes of the Avar of In- 
dependence were drawn. Rut i'or the martial 
spirit aroused 1)}^ these campaigns, and tlie lessons 
of military science therein taught, our forefathers 
Avould haA'e been but an undisciplined mol) in 
177.J. To give one example: ('ol. K'icliard (Ji'id- 
Icy, Avho commanded the artillery at Louis) )iu-g, 
thirty years latei-, ti-aced and constructed the 
battery on liuid^'r's Hill. 

Li XoA'emlier, 1747. the Town House Avas the 
(H'Utre of another uprising. Comiiiodore Knowles 



OLD STATE HOUSE liE-DEDlCATlON. 57 

was in command of a lleet hing off the luuhoi-. 
Having lost some deserters, he sent a press-gang into 
the harbor, seizing sailors from the ships, and even 
landsmen from the wharves. There was at once an 
outburst of popular indignation, in whieli all ranks 
joined. " As soon as it was dusk, sevei-al thousand 
peoi)le assembled in King street, below the Town 
House, Avhere the General Court was sitting. Stones 
and brick batts were thrown through the glass into 
the Council Chamber. The Governor [Shirley], 
however, with several gentlemen of the Council and 
House, ventured into the balcony " (Hutchinson, ii., 
432), and after silence was obtained addressed the 
assemblage. He pi'omised to try to obtain the 
release of the townsmen; but the croAvd was not to 
be thus pacified. For three days the contest con- 
tinued, the people having seized some of the officers 
from the fleet as hostages, and the commodoi-e 
threatening to boml)ard the town by way of reprisal. 
Finally the Ijcgislature interposed with jDromises to 
both sides; the impressed men were liberated and the 
squadron sailed, to the great relief of all in authority. 
On Wednesday, December 9, 1747, the Town 
House was greatly injured by a fire. The following 
extract from the newspapers will explain the extent 
of the loss: — 

"Yesterday nioniiug betweeu G <& 7 o'clock we were exceedingly 
surprised by a most terrible Fire, which broke out at the Court 



58 OLD ST.VTK llOUSK KK-DEDICATION. 

lloiisu ill lliirt Town, wln'ieby tliat spacious and licantifiil liiiilding 
except the bare outward "Walls, was eiUirelj' destroyed. As the 
Fire be<;an in the middle or second Story, the Records, Books, 
Papers, Furniture, Fictures of the Kings and (Queens, &c., which 
were in tiiu Council Chamber, the Chamber of the I louse of Repre- 
sentatives and the Apartments thereof, in that Storj', were con- 
sumed ; as were also the Books and Papers in the Offices of the 
iip|)cr Story : Those in the Ollices below were mostly saved. In 
the Cellars whicii were iiiri'd by several persons, a great quantity 
of Wines and other Liquors were lost. The publiek Damage 
sustain'd by this sad Disaster is inexpressibly great and the Loss 
to some jiarticular Persons, 'tis said will amount to several Thou- 
sand Pounds. The Vcliemence of the Flames oceasiou'd such a 
great Heat as to set the Roofs of some of the opposite houses on 
Fire notwithstanding they had Ijeen covered with .Snow, and it was 
extinguished with much Dilliculty. How the Fire was occasional, 
whether by Defects in tiio Chimney or Hearth as some think, is 
uncertain." — Bosion WeeJcly News Lvtter, Thursday, December 10, 
1747. 

The account in the Boston Evening Post* for the; 
fonrteenth of December, adds : — 

" The fine Pictures and other Furniture in the Council Chamber 
were destroyed as were also the Books, Papers and Records in 
both the Lobbies, and those in the Ollices kept in the upper .Story ; 
but the County Records and Papers belonging to the Inferiour 
Court, being deposited in an Ollice upon the lower Floor, were 
most of them preserved." 

The same paper prints the following extracts 
from the Journal of the JTnnse of Jiepresentatives : — 



• The account ill tih .- is in Aiiinndix J. 



OLD STATK HOITSK KI'.-DRDICATION. 59 

"12 December, A.D. 1747. 

" Upon a motion made and seconded, 

" ReHdlced, that the House now make [jartii'iilar Enquiry how 
the hite Fire in tiie Court House was first discovered, and by what 
I^Ieans it was occasioned. After examining the Door-liceper and 
receiving a particular account of the Time and Circumstances of 
his leaving the House the Evening before, and enquiring of those 
Gentlemen who early discovered the Fire. 

" Resolved, That it appears to the Satisfaction of this House, that 
the late Fire which consumed the Court House, proceeded from tiie 
Wood-work under the Hearth taking Fire, and that the Fire first 
broke out in the Entry-way between the Council Chamber and the 
Representatives Room, and from thence went up the Stair Case, 
and through the Roof, and continued until the House was con- 
sumed." 

The following letter of Secretary Willard to 
Christopher Kilby and William Bollan, agents of the 
province in London, is copied from vol. 1 of the 
"Records of Plymouth County," giving the "Acts 
of Commissioners of the United Colonies of New 
England," edited by David Pulsifer: — 

"Boston, Dec'r 21, 1747. 
" Gentlemen I am now to give you the sorrowful News of the 
grievous & surprizing Rebuke of Divine Providence on the Gov- 
crnm'nt of this Province in the Destruction of the Court House by 
Fire which liappened in the Morning of the ninth Instant. It was 
generally concluded to have begun in the Floor under the chimneys 
of the Council Chamber & House of Represent'ves & was not 
discover'd till it was greatly increased ; All the Books of the Gen- 
eral Court, (iovern'r & Council & House of Reprent'ves there in 



60 OLD STATE IIOtTSE RE-DEDICATION. 

the House were wholly lost witlioiit saving one & all the Hooks of 
Coiniiiiss' MS and otlit'r Tnstruni'ts as wi'U from the Crown as the 
Governnrt of tlie I'rovince with most of ye original Papers are 
likewise consumed." 

The General Cotu't was offered tlie tise of Faneuil 
Hall, but Avas accommodated for the few days 
rciiiaiuing' in the session at tlie Koyal Exchange 
tavern, kept by Lnke Vardy, on the west corner of 
our present Exchange and State streets.'^ 

It seems that, as in 1711, the expense of the repairs 
was paid, one-half by the Province, one-quarter each 
by the town of Boston, and the county of Suttblk. 
The expense was £'.^,7()5 lis. 4d. lawful money. 
AVhatever plans were made lb)' this restoration, it 
would seem that the exterioi* walls at least were not 
touched. (See Appendix C.) 

Fortunately, as in Xeal's case, in 1720, we have 
a description of the new building from <)nc who 
saw it in its freshness. Capt. Francis Goelet (^whose 

" Till' rutliir clmrlisli voto of Oie Selectmen, as given below, may 
explain the (lisinclination of the Governor to accept the offer : — 

Dec. 10, 1747. Voted "tluit liberty be and hereby is granted to his 
Excellency the Oovernour and the Honorable his Majesty's Cotincil to 
iinjirove the ('lianiber in raneiiil Hall, the Selectmen usually set in to do 
business, when they sliall have occasion therefor until they can he better 
]>rovidcd : and that the Honorable .Tosiah AVillard, Esq"'. .Secretary be 
allowed to make use of the Office under the stairs in Faneuil Hall which 
hath been inprovcd for the Naval Officer, until better provided, he payin;^ 
tlie same rent Mr. Overing agreed for, to commence the 12"". instant." 



OLD STATE HOUSE HE-DEDICATION. 61 

journal is printed in the IS^.E. Historical and Genea- 
logical Register for 1870, p. 72) thus describes it 
in tlie autumn of 1750: — 

" They bave also a Town House, built of Brick, situated in 
King's street. It's a very Grand Brick Building, Arch'd all 
Round, and Two Storie Heigh, Sash'd above ; its Lower Part is 
alwajs Open, desigu'd as a Change, tho' the Merchants in Fair 
Weather make their Change in the open Street at the Easterraost 
End. In the upper Story are the Council and Assembly Cham- 
bers &c. It has a neat Capulo, sash'd all round, and which on 
rejoycing days is Elluminated."" 

Capt. Goelet mentions tliat on October 30th, 
His Majesty's Birth-day, he " went at noon witli 
Capt. Wendell to the Councill Chamber in the 
Towne House, where [ho] drank the Loyall Toasts 
with the Lieutenant Governor, Councill," etc. 

By the records of the House it appears that 
Dec. 12, 1752, there was paid £6 13s. 4d. to Moses 
Deshon " for the arms of the Colony which he has 
carved, and put up in the House of Representatives." 

By the bill of the painter in 1773, it seems that 
the Colony arms still remained, while the King's 
arms, also then paid for, were probably in the 
Council Chamber. The historic Codfish was also 

" Jany 17, 1749-50 " voted that the Engine under the care of Mr Thomas 
Reed be removed to the cellar under the Town House as soon as may be, 
and that Mr Cooke be desired to get a Platform laid, and what else may 
be necessary to be done for the sumt;." — Selectmen's Records. 



G2 OLD STATIC HOrSE HE-DEDICATIOX. 

iiK'iiliuned, and variuus pic-tiire'S, of wliicli the only 
one nanietl is that of Gov. Burnet. 

Tery strangely, it ajjpcars by the "Boston Post 
Boy " of June Kith, 17G6, that a gallery was put in 
the Representatives' Hall, though it is hard to imagine 
where space was found for it." Chandeliers, of 
course, hung in each liall, and the desk of the Clerk 
or Speaker of the House is still preserved by the 
Massachusetts Historical Society."" 

When the work of the I'estoration was commenced 
last year, it was found that the framing of the 
timbers was such that there must have been a 
circular stairway in the place now occupied by it, 
from the first floor to the halls, and that tlie landings 
must have presented their present form. 

The same investigation showed that the Rej)re- 
sentatives' Hall had its easterly end curved, Avhile 
the Council Chamber was sqiuire. These indications 
coincide with a descrijjtion published in 17!)1, Avhen 
the halls were occupied by the Legislature of the 



"Hutchinson says (iii, 1G6), under date of 1767, that the House " had caused 
a gallery to be built and opened, that all persons inclined to it, might hear their 
debates; and a speech, well adapted to the gallery, was oftentimes of more 
service to the cause of liberty than if its jiiirposes hail been confined to the 
members of the house." 

'" Although described as llie Speaker's desk, it seems almost impossible 
that it could have been so used. The balusters in the new stairway are co])ied 
from those in Gov. Shirley's house, still standing in Ho.xbury. As he was the 
governor at the date of the rebuilding, in 1747, no better exemplars could be 
desired. 




Oi.i) SiAiii UuLM-, i.N 171)1. (^Fioiii tlu- ^hissllcllU^^;Us MagiiziiK'.) 



OLD STATK HOUSE UK-DEDICATION. 63 

State, and when, apparently, no changes had been 
made. The Massachusetts Magazine for August, 
1791, gives a south-west view of the building, i.e., 
one taken from the Washington-street end, and the 
following description is added : — 

"The State House is an elegant brick building, standing at tlie 
Lead of State Street, one mile and 297 yards from the fortification. 
It is 110 feet in length and thirtj'-eight in breadth. The founda- 
tions of the present walls were laid A.D. 1712, the former State 
House having been reduced to ashes in the great fire of the pre- 
ceding j'ear. The internal part of this building again experienced 
the desolating flame in 17-17, when a vast number of ancient books 
and early records, together with a collection of valuable papers, 
were destroyed, and to the ravages of this calamity we may attrib- 
ute the imperfect accounts that arc to be obtained of the first and 
second building. The ascent to the lower floor, as fronting the 
Long wharf, is by an elevated flight of large stone steps, railed 
round with neat iron balustrades. There are three other entrances : 
one at the opposite end, facing to Cornhill, and the other two in 
the opposite centres of the length. Tlie Clerks of the Supreme 
.Judicial Court and Court of Common Pleas hold their offices 
upon the first floor, which also serves in bad weather as an 
exchange for the mercantile part of the community. A range 
of Doric pillars support the floors of the second story, which is 
destined for the accommodation of the (loneral Legislature. The 
Senate Chamber is thirty-two feet square and fifteen feet in 
height, furnished with a convenient lobby for committees to 
transact business in. The Representatives' Chamber is fifty-seven 
and a half feet in length,'' thirty-two in breadth, and the same 

" This figure, fifty-seven and one half feel, is an impossibility, being more 
than one-half the length of the building, liiit lliirty-sevcn and one-half 



64 OLD STATE HOUSE UE-DEDICATION. 

height iis the former, with a well-constructed lobby. The third 
or upper story is improved by different committees during the 
session, :uid has an I'^ust, West and South lobby ; beside several 
apartments for publick papers and records. On the centre of the 
roof is a tower, consisting of three stories, finished according to 
the Tuscan, Dorick and loiiick orders complete, and from tlieuce 
is a flue prospect of the Harbor and adjacent Country." 

The painter's bill" of 1773 also mentions the Lion 
and the Unicorn which crowned the east end of 
the exterior, the carved corner-pieces on the west 
front, the balcony and pediment in front at the 
main window of Ihe Council Chamber, and the 
steps, which, for a time, reached fi"om the first 
floor down State street.-' 

These features have all been reprodticed in the 
restored building. It was, indeed, a question wlu'ther 
or not to restore the royal arms uj)()n llic cast end, 
but a feature so distinctive, architcctiu-ally, could not 
be well omitted. Happily, no one will to-day misun- 
derstand the feeling- with which we i-eplace this me- 

feet would reach exactly to the line of the curved end of the hall as shown 
on Rogers' plans and now reconstructed. Evidently the writer put his notes 
of the measurements in figures, and either he or his printer mistook thirty- 
seven and one-half for fifty-seven and one-half. The error really ((iiitirms 
the exactness of the record. 

''• This document is printed in .\ppendix K. 

'^ These steps are in the picture piiintetl in ISUl, owned by the Uis- 
torical Society, but were removed before the view in 1821 was taken. 
Ttu'v are in the view of 1785 also, and are mentioned in 17'Jl. 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 65 

mento of our colonial clays, — a recognition merely of 
the facts of history, neither forgetful of the protec- 
tion which the mother country once extended, nor 
boastful of the change which has given us a national 
coat-of-arms, a national flag, and a supreme govern- 
ment, at least equal to those which we renounced a 
century ago.'-* 

It is certain that prioi- to the fire in 1747, the town 
had ceased to regard the Town House as its partic- 
ular pride. In 1740 Peter Faneiiil had offered to 
the town a building for a market and a Town Hall, 
and though it was accepted only by a vote of 367 
against 360, the work was accomplished. On the 
13th September, 1742, the first town-meeting was 
held there, and Faneuil Hall was solemnly so entitled. 
(S. G. Drake, Hist. Boston, p. 611.) On October 
6, 1742, " in conformity with a vote of the Town for 
removing the Town's Books and papers to Faneuil 
Hall, voted that the Town Clerk move said Books 
and papers belonging to the Town, foithwith, and 
that Mr. Savell provide C(jal for the selectmen at 
their meeting there on Wednesday next." 

The first meeting of the selectmen there was on 
October 13, 1742. From this time therefore Faneuil 



-' In delivering tliis aililress tlio words " royal arms " were used, and are 
therefore retained. Evidence will be found in Appendix V) to justify the 
opinion that the Lion and Unieorn were the supporters to the Province 
coat-of-atms, and that they figured here in that eapaoity. 



60 OLD STATE HOUSE UE-DEDICATION. 

Hall became the Town Ilall, and tlie buikling on 
State street became more especially the place for the 
Legislatui'e and Com*ts. 

One other vote of the selectmen at this time may 
be reproduced as showing the dissatisfaction of the 
town: "May 10, 1744. In consideration of the 
difficult circumstances of the Province, especially of 
the Town of Boston, and the little advantage in 
cleaning the glass at the Town House, voted that 
that lixpense and charge be saved for the present 
year." 

A brief account of Faneuil Hall and its vicissi- 
tudes will be found in Apjxiudix E. 



Having thus considered the history of the walls of 
this building, lot us review the scenes which took 
place therein. During the administration of Shirley 
(1741-1757), and of Pownall (1757-1700), the 
colony was undoulitedly loyal. The great expendi- 
tures made by England to carry out the favorite wish 
of the colonists, by the overthrow of tlic French 
power in America, had not only pleased but enriched 
the sea-board colonies. Many of our citizens served 
with (Ti'dit in llic \aiious urnrK's which attacked 
Canada; many others liad served in tlic navy or the 
transport service, and Boston especially had become 
accustomed to the presence of English troops and 



OLD STATE HOUSK RE-DEIHCATION. 67 

Crown officials. Shirley had identified himself with 
the colony, had built a house here and reared a 
family amid Bostonian surroundings. His ardor in 
military affairs led him to be less strenuous in smaller 
civil matters, and he had acquiesced in such encroach- 
ments by the Legislature as restrained the power of 
the Crown or the influence of the Governor. 

Pownall's short rule of three years was noteworthy 
mainly for its military record.-* 

In August, 1760, Francis Bernard arrived here to 
succeed Pownall, and, five months later, news was 
received of the accession of George III. With the 
new King and the new Governor begins the closing 
chapter of our colonial history. This is not the 
time to attempt to describe the causes which led to 
the Revolution, except in so far as any important 
events took place in this building. Here, under this 
roof, indeed, were encamped the hostile forces of the 
civil goveniraent. In this room the Royal Governor 



'= John Adams says (Works, x., 241-4), " Pownall was a Whif;, a friend 
of liberty, a lover of his eountry, and he considered North America a part 
of his country as nmch as England, Scotland, or Ireland." — " Pownall, 
when he came into administration, thought there ought to be a good 
understanding between the capital and country, and a harmony between 
both and the government. This conciliatory and comprehensive system 
was too refined and too sublime for human nature in this contentious, 
warring world." — "Pownall was the most constitutional and national 
Governor, in my opinion, who ever represented the crown in this province. 
He engaged in no intrigues, he favored no conspiracies against the liber- 
ties of America." 



68 OLD STATE HOUSIC KE-DEDICATION. 

and his geiK-rally .subsL-rviciit Council could listen to 
the applause which greeted the impassioned elo- 
quence of the popular leaders of the Representatives 
in the adjoining hall, as they graditally developed the 
ideas of " No representation, no taxation," and " No 
representation, no legislation," as Hutchinson scorn- 
fully termed them. (Hist., iii., 1G4.) How often 
must these lobbies and entries have been thronged l)y 
the citizens of Boston, anxious to catch the latest in- 
telligence of royal obstinacy or of popular indigna- 
tion ! In those days the press was so circumscribed 
in its province, that the news was only to be ob- 
tained by contact with the actors; and here was the 
centre of all that absorbed the attention of the com- 
nninity. The town-mecstings were held at Faneuil 
Ilall,-'^ and when more room was needed, they ad- 
journed to tlu' Old South Church. Yet, powerful 
as was the influence of Boston, the citizens could 
(tnly issue instructions to their representatives in tlic 
august body, which, in these halls, spoke in the 
name of tlic ciitii-e colony. It will be necessary to 
give a few instances of the occurrences in tliese 
apartments, from the evidence of tlic actors therein. 

"It is often forgotten that Faneuil Hall prior to A.D. lst>> w:i> nmeh 
snialkT tlian it now is. The iiililition of imother story und an extension on 
the north side added greatly to the space. Of course tliese changes have 
not destroyed the identity of the huilding, but they are much greater than 
those made in these Memorial Halls, where only one wall has been replaced 
in each room and in the same position. (Consult, on this point. Appendix E.) 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 09 

On "Wednesday, Decembei- IG, 17G1, there was a 
military funeral held here, fully described in the 
journals. It was in honor of Major-General Edward 
"Whitniore,* Governor of Louisburg, who was 
drowned in Plymouth hai'bor on the preceding- 
Friday. The procession marched from the Town 
House to the King's Chapel, escorted by the ti'oop 
of IIorse-Guards and the company of Cadets. The 
Governor and Lieutenant-Governoi-, the Council, 
Judges, Justices, and Ministers followed the corpse, 
and "Minute Guns were fired to the. amount of 70, 
being the Number of Years of the General's Age." 
Edward Whitniore, Charles Lawrence, and James 
Wolfe were the brigadiers under Amherst at the 
capture of Louisburg, in 1758. Wolfe's division 
had the largest share of the fighting, but after the 
surrender Wliitmore was left as Governoi* of the 
Fort. As such he had been in constant official 
communication Avith Boston for over two years, and 
at that date was doubtless better known here than 
the future hero of the capture of Quebec. 

* Tliis General Edward Whitmore was Lieutenant-Colonel of 3Gtli Foot 
In 174", and Colonel of 22d Foot, 11th of July, 1757, in which post he was 
succeeded by Thomas Gage, afterwards our Governor. lie left several 
children, the oldest being Edward Whitniore, who was Captain of Iloyal 
Artillery, 10th of September, 1759, and died in 1804. I do not find any 
relationship between him and Lieutenant-Cieneral William Whitmore, 
17G0, Colonel of 9th Foot, 1758-1771, whose family was of note in 
Shropshire. 



70 OLD STATE llOCSE liK-DEDICATION. 

In 1761, soon after Bernard's arrival, James Otis, 
Jr., aroused the public by his ftunous ])lea against 
the Writs of Assistance. John Adams has ad- 
miral)ly described the scene in this hall, in a letter 
written to a friend in 1817. (Life and Works, Vol. 
X., pp. 245-248.) 

"The scene is the Council chamhcr in tlie old Town House in 
Boston. The date is in the month of Kt>l)iuary, 17G1, nine years 
before you entered my office in Cole lane. As this was five years 
before you entered college, you must have been in the second 
form of IMaster Lovell's school. 

"That Council chamber was as respectable an apartment as the 
House of Coinmous or the House of Lords in Great Britain, in 
proportion, or that in the State House in Thiladelphia, in which 
the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1770. In this 
chamber, round a great fire, were seated five judges, with Lieu- 
t.uant-Govemor Hutchinson at their head as Chief Justice, all 
arrayed in tlicir new, fresh, rich robes of scarlet Englisii broad- 
cloth ; in their large cambric bands and immense judicial wigs. 
" In this chamber were seated at a long table all the barristers- 
at-law of J5()ston and of the neighboring county of Middlesex, 
in gowns, bands, and tie wigs. They were not seated on ivory 
chairs, but their dress was more solemn and more pompous than 
that of the Koman Senate, when the Gauls broke in upon them. 

" In the corner of the room uuist be placed as a spectator 
aud an auditor, wit, sense, imtvgiuation, genius, pathos, reason, 
prudence, eloquence, learning and immense reading, hanging 
by the shoulders on two crutches, covered with a great cloth 
coat, in the person of Mr. Pratt, who had been solicited on 
both sides, but would engage on neither, being, as Chief Justice 
of New York, about to leave Boston forever. Two portraits, 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 71 

at more than full length, of King Charles the Second and of 
King James the Second, in splendid golden frames, were hung 
up on the most conspicuous sides of the apartment. If my young 
eyes or old memory have not deceived me, these were as fine pict- 
ures as I ever saw ; the colors of the royal ermines and long, 
flowing robes were the most glowing, the figures the most noble 
and graceful, the features the most distinct and characteristic, far 
superior to those of the king aud queen of France in the Senate 
chamber of Congress — tliese were worthy of the pencils of 
Rubens and Vandyke. Tliere was no painter in England capable 
of them at that time. They had been sent over without frames in 
Governor Pownall's time, but he was no admirer of Charles or 
James. The pictures were stowed away in a garret, among 
rubbish, until Governor Bernard came, who had them cleaned, 
superbly framed, and placed in council for the admiration and 
imitation of all men — no doubt with the advice and concurrence 
of Hutchinson and all his nebula of stars and satellites. 

" One circumstance more. Samuel Quincy and John Adams had 
been admitted barristers at tliat term. John was the youngest ; 
he should be painted looking like a short, thick archbishop of 
Canterbury, seated at the table with a pen in his hand, lost in 
admiration, now and then minuting those poor notes which j'our 
pupil. Judge Minot, has printed in his history, with some interpo- 
lations." 

He then proceeds to describe the characters in the 
di'ama, and thns depicts the chief: — 

" But Otis was a flame of fire. With a promptitude of classical 
allusions, a depth of research, a rapid summary of historical 
events aud dates, a profusion of legal authorities, a prophetic 
glance of his eye into futuritj', and a torrent of impetuous 
eloquence, he hurried away everj'thing before him. American 



72 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

independence was then and there V)orn ; the seeds of patriots and 
heroes were then and there sown, to defend the vigorous youtli, 
the non sine DUh animosns infans. Every man of a crowded 
audience appeared to me to go away, as I did, ready to take 
arms against writs of assistance. Then and there was the first 
scene of the first act of opposition to the arbitrary claims of Great 
Britain. Then and there the child Independence was born." 

The imnicdiate result Ava.s a modification of tlie 
form of the writs; Imt tlie greater consequence Avas 
the prominence of Otis, and the attention called to 
the oppressive character of the English revenue laws 
when applied to this country. 

A lull succeedcil in the political atmosphere for 
the next two years, and the news of the peace with 
France, received here in May, 1763, was joyfully 
welcomed. Soon, however, the clouds gathered, 
indicative of the coming storm. The vast expense 
of the war rendeiid new taxes inevitable; unfor- 
tunately, thi' consideralion of the renewal of a tax 
Avhich had just expired, — one on tlu' importation 
of molasses into tiic colonics, — led the Gi'cnvillc 
ministry to determine "to raise by a stamp diilv, 
oi- in some other way, a sum IVom America, sufficient 
to ease government in part fidin llir fiilure charges 
which miglil ])v necessary there." (Hutchinson, iii.. 

In April, 1765, news was received of the passage 
of the act, and popular opposition was at once 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 73 

excited. On the biitlulay of the Prince of Wales, 
Augnst 12, it was concei'ted to hang the appointed 
distributor of stamps in effigy. This was done two 
days later, the image being suspended from the 
Liberty Tree, which stood on the corner of Essex 
and Washington streets. The Council was hastily 
assembled, l)ut prudently advised that nothing be 
done, hoping that the matter would end there. 

" Before night the image was taken down, and carried through 
the Town House, in the chamber whereof the Governor and 
Council were sitting. Forty or fifty tradesmen, decentl}' dressed, 
preceded ; and some thousands of the mob followed down King 
street to Oliver's dock, near which Mr. Oliver bad lately erected 
a building, which, it was conjectured, he designed for a stamp 
office. This was laid flat to the ground in a few minutes. From 
thence the mob proceeded for Fort Hill, Imt Mv. Oliver's house 
being in the way, they endeavored to force themselves into it, and 
being opposed, broke the windows, beat down the doors, entered, 
and destroyed part of his furniture, and continued in riot until 
midniojit before they separated." (Hutchinson, iii., 121.) 

On the evening of August 2G a inol) collectt'd in 
King street, "drawn there by a bonfire, and well 
supplied Avith strong drink." They plundered the 
cellars of the comptroller of customs, and then 
marched to the house of Thomas Hutchinson, in Gar- 
den court, neai- Fleet street. whiM-e, all niglit long, 
undisturbed by the frightened neighborhood, tiie work 
of destruction went on. These inexcusable outrages 
were promptly disavowed in town-meeting, and most 



74 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

I^robably Averc tlic work of those turbulent and law- 
less men who always appear whenever authority is 
suspended, to dishonor and injure the cause they 
nominally support. 

When the Legislature met, on October 24, 1765, 
Boston was represented by a new member, — Samuel 
Adams, — then first the recipient of high office, but 
already a leader among the advocates of indcijcnd- 
ence. Otis was in New York, attending a conven- 
tion of di'legates from the various colonies, which 
had been convoked by royal authority. The diflfer- 
ence in the political views of these leaders was 
marked, though it did not i^revent their unison in 
many points. Otis believed that Parliament was su- 
preme, but that the Colonies were entitled to repre- 
sentation thwein. Adams "professed principles, 
which he owned without reserve in pi-ivate discourse, 
to be independency; and, I'loni time to time, he made 
advances towards it in |)ublick, as far as would serve 
the great purpose of attaining to it. To his inlluence 
inav be attributed the "reat a(l\ancc nia(U' in this 
session." (Hutchinson, iii.. l.'U.) On the 29th of 
October, in tlie adjoining hall, the House passed the 
famous Resolves, prepared by Samuel Adams, one of 
whicli (Icclarcs. "That all acts made by any powi-r 
whatever, other than tlie General Asseml)ly of tliis 
Province, imposing taxes on the inhabitants, are 
infringements of our inherent and unalienable rights 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 75 

as men and Britisli subjects, and render void the 
most valuable declarations of our charter." 

To be sure, this was coupled with a declaration of 
loyalty to the Crown and to Parliament; but the first 
resolve contained a political truth, and the last a 
politic profession. 

On May 16, 176G, the news of the repeal of the 
Stamji Act was received here, and caused universal 
rejoicing. In September the Rockingham-Shelburne 
ministry came into power, and was believed to be 
friendly to the Colonies. The Governor here had 
several disputes with the Legislature, the Council 
displayed unusual independence, and the influence of 
Adams, now promoted to the office of Clerk of the 
House,-" was steadily on the increase. The same state 
of affiiirs characterized the whole of the following 
year, 1767, until, in the autumn, news was received 
of the passage of an act levying " small duties on 
paper, glass, and painters' colors, imported into 
America; to take off 12d., which had been charged 
in England on every pound of tea exported, and to 
lay 3d. only, payable upon its importation into 
America." (Hutchinson, iii., 179.) Commissioners 
were appointed to enforce the customs' laws, and an 

*" " The office having some emolument, it had generally been filled by one 
of the members, who took the same share in debating and voting as if 
he had not been clerk, and rather acquired than lost influence by being so." 
(Hutchinson, iii., 1-48.) 



76 <>M) STATK llorsK |;K-I)KI)ICATI0X. 

act was passed legalizing- the writs of assistance, 
under wliich search was made for snnijirgled jjoods. 

DO O 

Ju February, 17C8, the Iloust- passed a bill order- 
ing letters to be written to the other colonies, " with 
respect to the imi)oitance of joining with them in 
petitioning Ilis Majesty at tliis time."' This was 
Adams' measure, — a potent weapon in the coming 
conflict. Another resolve was, "that this House will, 
by all prudent means, endeavor to discountenance 
the use of foreign superfluities, and to encourage the 
manufactures of this Province." 

The English government demanded the rescinding 
the vote authorizing the Circular Letter, but the 
House, Ijy a vote of 92 to 17, refused obedience. 
"The galleries were cleared, and all communication 
with the other Board or from the outside, was shut 
off during the debate." (Life of S. Adams, i., iii.) 
Even a committee of the Council, Avith certain reso- 
lutions of that branch, was refused admittance. 

The House was prorogued the same day, and 
dissolved the next day, l)ut not til! it liad passed an 
address to the king, asking for tiif removal of (Jov- 
eriKir Bernard. 

All ill-,i(l\ iscd measure at this time added to the 
po])ular discontent. Owing to Bernard's representa- 
tions, it had been decided that one or two regiments 
should be sent (Vmhi Halifax to lioston. On hearing 
of the riots here, the government in Enghuul ordered 



OLD STATE UOUSF, 1!E-1)EI)ICATK)X. 77 

two more regiments from Ireland. The news of the 
first order was received in Boston about the begin- 
ning of September, 17G8, and, as the Legislature was 
not expected to meet for a year, the town-meeting of 
Boston took action. On learning from the Governor 
that the troops were soon to arrive, — one regiment 
for the Castle and two for the town, — the meeting 
voted to hold a convention on September 22, of 
delegates from all the other towns, '^ in order that 
such measures may be concerted and advised, as His 
Majesty's service and the peace and safety of his 
subjects in the province may require." As Hutchin- 
son says (Hist., iii., 205), "It must be allowed by all, 
that the proceedings of this meeting had a greater 
tendency towards a revolution in government than 
any preceding measures in any of the colonies. The 
inhabitants of one town alone took upon them to 
convene an assembly from all the towns, that, in 
everything but in name, would be a House of Repre- 
sentatives." A most just comment; and let us 
to-day be proud of the fact that the town thus 
assuming the lead was Boston. Although the result 
of the meeting, which was duly held at Faueuil Hall, 
was not as tangible as was hoped, it showed the 
colonists how to proceed towards a rebellion whilst 
preserving the forms of law. The convention ad- 
journed September 29, the day after the Heet and 
soldiers reached Xantasket. The troops, amounting 



78 OI,I) STATK IlorSK I{K-l)i;i)ICATIOX. 

to one thousand men, under Lieutenant-Colonel Dal- 
lymple, landed without opposition. One regiment 
pitched their tents on the Common; the others 
were marched to Faneuil Ilall, and, after some dis- 
pute, were sheltered there for one night. " The next 
day, Gov. Bernard ordered the doors of the Town 
House to be opened, except that of the Council 
Chamber; and such part were lodged there as Fan- 
euil Hall i-()oms would not accommodate. The Rep- 
resentatives' room was filled, in common with the 
rest." (Hutchinson, iii., 212.) 

Gen. Gage was summoned from New York, and 
the Council attempted to find a Avay to satisfy both 
sides. The i-esult was that houses Avere hired for the 
troops, but in the immediate vicinity of the TowTi 
House. The quartering of troops at this spot was 
felt keenly by the i)rovince. The next town-meeting 
demanded of Gen. Mackay, then in command, the 
removal of the troops on election day. He replied 
that he could not do this, but would confine them to 
their barracks. AV'hen the I>egislature met, in May, 
17G9, its first work, after organizing, was to resolve 
that, "an aiinaiu'iit by sea and land investing the 
metropolis, and a military guaid, witli cannon ])ointed 
at lliai very door of the State House, wliere this As- 
sembly is held, is inconsistent witli tliat dignity, as 
well as that freedom, with wiruli we have a right to 
deliberate, consult, and deti-nnine." They added 



OLD STATE IIOUSK UE-DEDICATION. 70 

that they expected the Grovemor to order the removal 
of these foi'ces durhig the session of the Assembly. 
As they refused to transact business while the troops 
remained, and as the Governor would not consent, he 
adjourned the Legislature to Cambridge. Finally, 
two regiments were sent back to Halifax, the 14th 
and 29th remaining here. 

Another deeply exciting trial at this time inten- 
sified the popular indignation. 

April 22, 17G9, a press-gang from the " Rose " 
frigate, under Lieut. Panton, boarded a ship owned 
by Mr. Hooper, of Marblehead, on her return from 
Bilboa. Michael Corbet and three others resisted, 
and the officer, Panton, was shot. Hence a trial in 
July, by a special Court of Admiralty, of these four 
sailors on a charge of piracy and murder. John 
Adams (Works, X., 205-207) says, that at the open- 
ing of the trial, on the presentation of the prisoners' 
pleas, Hutchinson moved "that the Court should 
adjourn to the Council Chamber." " The prisoners 
were remanded ; parties, witnesses, counsel, audience, 
dismissed; and the Court adjourned to the Council 
Chamber, where they remained in secret conclave 
till late in the evening." 

" The Court met again early next morning, in 
secret conclave in the Council Chamber." The plea 
of the defence was, that the act was justifiable homi- 
cide, and this was the deci-iion of the Court. 



80 OT.D STATE HOI'SK RE-DEDICATION. 

Adams iidds, " One circumstance is too eharac- 
teristie to be omitted. The counsel for the prisoners, 
descending from the chaml)er where the Court sat, to 
the lower floor of the Court House, was met at the 
l)ottom of llie stairs I)y the lioatswain <>{' tlie ^ Rose.' 
*" Sii',' said he, ' we arc all greatly obliged to you 
Cor your noble coiuluct in defence of these brave 
fellows; yet, sir, this is the I'mployniciit in which 
I have been almost constantly engaged for twenty 
years, fighting with honest men to deprivi' them of 
their liberty. I always thought I ought to be 
hanged for it, and now I know it." 

Bernard was recalled, and sailed on July 31, 
17G9, amid (U'liionstrations of popular joy. By 
his dei)ai-turc the duties devolved ujjou Thomas 
Hutchinson, the lieutenant-go vei'nor, a native of 
Boston, a man of fortune and eminent abilities, 
l)ut already distasteful to liis rillow-citizi-ns as the 
ablest defender <>[' the rovalist views in the colonv. 
He came to the coMHuand in times which were daily 
becoming more tur])ulent. and. Iiaving persistently 
taken the pai-1 of tlie Ci'own. he has justly forfeited 
all claims to the respect of the descendants of the 
rebels. 

During the autuum of 17(5!* the bitter feeling 
between the (•olonisi> and tlie loyalists rapidly 
increased. James Otis was dangerously wounded 
in an affray \vith a Crown officer in the British 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATIOX. 81 

Coflfee House, whicli slood on State street, at the 
present l^o. 00. It is probable that the violence 
he then received completed the overthrow of his 
intellect, and, thenceforward, he ceased to lead in 
public affairs. On the 22d of February, 1770, a 
local riot led to the shooting, by one Richardson, 
of a bo}' named Christopher Snyder, the first vic- 
tim to the evil i)assions excited by the state of 
affairs. 

The merchants of the town had been nearly 
unanimous in giving effect to the popular wish to 
prevent the importation of English goods, although 
the taxes had been taken off of all imports except 
tea. Early in 1770, however, a new turn was given 
to popular thought, by what is known as the State- 
street Massacre. From these windows we overlook 
the scene of this famous event, but it has been too 
often described to need more tlian the briefest 
reference. A fight between the soldiers and the 
workmen at Gray's ropewalk, on March 2, 1770, 
had raised a resentment in the minds of the troops, 
which led to fatal results. On Monday evening, 
March 5th, the soldiers began to show signs of 
insubordination. In and around their barracks, in 
Dock square, they assailed the passers-by with 
threats and blows. The boys of the town rang 
the bell in the First Church, and the citizens began 
to thx'ong towards the Town House. A large 



82 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

crowd gatliered in Dock square, for, in those days, 
a few minutes'' walk would bring every houseliolder 
to the centre of the town. Here a leader, pre- 
sumably AN illiam Molineaux, advised the people to 
disperse — a counsel followed by part, while others 
started for State street. The Custom House stood 
at the corner of State and Exchange streets, and 
there a sentinel was posted. A crowd of boys 
assaulted him with snowballs, until a messenger 
was sent hastily to the guard-house near by. Some 
seven or eight nun. under Capt. Preston, at once 
rushed to the relief of the guard, loaded quickly, 
and stood at bay. The mob pressed upon them, 
striking their muskets, and otherwise insulting 
them, being evidently of the belief that the soldiers 
would not fire. The order was given to present 
arms, and then to fire, though it was never dis- 
covered who gave the fatal word. ^V rambling tire 
by the guard, at these close quarters, killed three 
persons and wounded eight others. 

At once the partisans of each side rushed to the 
spot. The soldiers wei'c drawn up in order of 
battle, but rtiuaiuiil under the control of their 
officers. Thi' Itclls of ilic clnuclus arimsed the 
alarmed inhabitants, who thronged tlu' street to 
gaze upon tlir blood-stained snow, which testified 
to the awful tragedy. A few hastened to summon 
Gov. Hutchinson, who, " to satisfy the people, called 



OLD STATE HOUSE KE-DKHICA TIOX. 83 

for Captain Preston, and inquiivd why he fired 
upon the inhabitants -nithout the direction of a 
civil magistrate. The noise was so great that his 
answer could not be understood, and some, who 
were apprehensive of the lieutenant-governor's dan- 
ger from the general confusion, called out, ^ The 
Town House! the Town House!' and, witli irre- 
sistible violence, he was forced up l)y the crowd 
into the Council Chamber. There, demand was 
immediately made of him to oi-der the troops to 
withdraw from the Town House to their barracks. 
He refused to comply, and, calling from the bal- 
cony, to the great body of peo])le which remained 
in the street, he expressed his great concern at the 
unhappy event, assured them he would do every- 
thing in his power in order to a full and impartial 
inquiry, that the law might have its course, and 
advised them to go peaceably to their several 
homes. Upon this there was a cry, ' Home ! home ! ' 
and a great pai't separated and went home." — 
(Hutchinson, iii., 273.) 

Captain Preston and the soldiers implicated sur- 
rendered themselves before morning, and were com- 
mitted to prison. This was not sufficient to satisfy 
the people; and a town-meeting Avas held in Faneuil 
Hall. The selectmen had already waited uj)on 
Hutcliinson, in this chaml)er, to demand the removal 
of the troops from the town. He repeated that he 



84 OU) STATK IIOrSK l{i;-I)Kl)ICATION. 

liad not the power, l)iit summoned Colonels Dal- 
lyniple and Can- to confer with the Council. 

When the selectmen I'l-ached the meeting' Samuel 
Adams addressed it. A committee of fifteen, headed 
by Adams, proceeded to the; Council Chamber to 
repeat the demand lor the i-emoval of the troops. 
The committee jjresented its message and Avithdrew 
into another room to wait for an answer. Dah-ymple 
consented to Avithdraw the 29th Kegiment to the 
Castle, and the ('ouiicil adjourned till the afternoon, 
in hopes that the concession would prove enough. 

At three o'clock the town-meeting reassembled, 
but adjourned to the Old South Church to accommo- 
date the increasing crowds. " The committee, led 
by Samuel Adams, his lu'ad bared in reverence to 
the occasion, and his gray locks flowing in the wind, 
issued from the Coimcil Chamber." Through a 
crowd reaching to the church the coinmittee silently 
passed, and, in the presence of three thousand eager 
listeners, the pn)])(>sal of tlie royal Governor was 
announced. It was at (nice voted to lie insuflicient, 
and a new committee, witli tlic same leader, Avas 
appointed to make a linal (U'mand. 

John A.hnns {\M\' mid Works, Vol. X., ]). 249) 
has eloqucnlly desci'ibed the scene in t!ic following 
words: — 

" Now for the ijictiirc. Tlie theutiv ami tlie sceuery are the 
suiue with those :it the discussion of writs of assistance. The 




SAMLEL .\I)A.M.s. 



OLD Sl'ATK 11(11 SK 14K-I)KDiCATl()X. 85 

same glorious portraits of Iviiij; C'lmrles II. aud King James II., 
to which miiilit lie lulilcd, ;iik1 sliould lie added, little miserable 
likenesses of Governor Winthrop, (iovcrnor Bradstreet, Governor 
Endieott, and Governor Belcher, hung up in obscure corners of the 
room. Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson, Commander-in-Chief in 
the absence of the Governor, must be placed at the head of the 
council table. Lieutenant-Colonel Dalrymple, Commander-in-Chief 
of His Majesty's military forces, taking rank of all His Majesty's 
counsellors, must be seated by the side of the Lieutenant-Governor 
and Commander-in-Chief of the province. Eight and twenty 
counsellors must be painted, all sealed at the council board. Let 
me see — what costume? What was the fashion of that day in the 
month of March? Large white wigs, English scarlet cloth cloaks, 
some of them with gold-laced hats, not on their heads, indeed, in so 
august a presence, but on the table before them, or under the table 
beneath them. Before these illustrious personages appeared 
Samuel Adams, a member of the House of Representatives, and 
their clerk, now at the head of the committee of the great 
assembly at the Old South Church. 

" Such was the situation of affairs when Samuel Adams was 
reasoning with Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson and Lieutenant- 
Colonel Dalrymple. He had fairly driven them from all their out- 
works, breastworks, and intrenchments to their citadel. There 
they paused aud considered and deliberated. The heads of 
Hutchinson and Dalrymple were laid together in whispers for a 
long time ; when the whispering ceased, a long aud solemn pause 
ensued, extremely painful to an impatient, expecting audience. 
Hutchinson, in time, broke silence ; he had consulted with 
Colonel Dalrymple, and the Colonel had authorized him to say 
that he might order one regiment down to the Castle, if that would 
satisfy the people AVith a self-recollection, a self-possession, u 
self-command, a presence of mind that was admired by every man 
present, Samuel Ailaras arose with an air of dignity and majesty 



86 OM) STATK IIOUSK KK-IlKI)IO.VTIl)N'. 

of wliicli he was sometimes capable, stretched lV)rtli liis arm, 
tliough even then quivering with palsy, and with an harmonious 
voice and decisive tone said, ' If the Lieutenant-Governor or 
Colonel Dalrymple, or both together, have authority to remove 
one regiment, they have authoritj" to remove two, and nothing 
short of the total evacuation of the town liy all the regular troops 
will satisfy tlic public mind or preserve the ijcace of the province. 
" 'i^hese few words thrilled the veins of every man in the 
audience, an^l produced the great result. After a little awkwai-d 
hesitation it was agreed that the town should be evacuated and 
both regiments sent to the Castle." 

Hutchinson's own account of the affair agrees 
substantially with this, though throwing the respon- 
sibility upon Col. Dalrymple. On March 10 and 
11 the two i-egiinents were removed to the Castle. 



Surely sueli an event as this must render this hall 
forever memorable. Whatever I'lse had ln'cii d<^ne, 
at other times and ])laces, here was taken tlii' first 
open step toward successful rebellion. A govern- 
ment which removes its military force from a fort, 
a town, or a province, at the demand of its subjects, 
can hope to regain its ascendancy in the future only 
by the displa}^ of an irresistible ai-mament in the 
same place. Hutchinson, who well luiderstood the 
position, wrote to a friend, in Mairli, 1770: "The 
body of tlie people are all of a mind, and there is 





^r/cij'Ci^tt/y 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 87 

no stemming the torrent. It is the common lan- 
guage of Adams and the i-est, that they are not 
to be intimidated by acts of Parliament, for they 
will not be executed here. . . . We are most 
certainly every day confirming ourselves in our 

principles of indejjendence ; and tells me he 

is fully convinced that nothing but sharp external 
force will bring Boston into a state of due subordi- 
nation."' (Life of S. Adams, i., 33.3.) 

The Legislature was convened in March, 1770, 
at Cambridge, despite their protest that the writs 
specified that the meeting was ^ to be held at the 
Town House in Boston." Samuel Adams, John 
Adams, John Hancock, and Joseph Hawley, were 
the leaders in the House, ably assisted by James 
Bowdoin in the Council. 

Li October the trial of Capt. Preston and his 
soldiers was held in this hall, John Adams and 
Josiah Quincy, Jr., acting as their counsel, and 
Preston was fully acquitted. Two of the soldiers 
were convicted of manslaughter. 

" The trials were far from satisfactory to the prose- 
cutors; and, in a short time, a great part of the 
people were induced to believe the acquittals unjust 
and contrary to evidence; and the killing of the men 
was declared to be a hori-id massacre, with the same 
freedom as if the jury had found those concerned in 
it guilty of murder. A few days after the trial. 



88 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATIOK 

while the Court continued to sit, an incendiary paper 
was posted np, in the night, upon the door of the 
Town House, coniphiining- of the Court for cheating 
the injured people with a show of justice, and calling 
upon them to rise and free the world from such 
domestick tyrants." (Hutchinson, iii., 330.) 

The removal of the train-l);uid from the Castle 
and its delivery to the royal forces, was another 
ground of offence to the colonists. 

In March, 1771, Hutchinson's commission as 
Governor arrived, and he met the Legislature at 
Cambridge as before. In the preceding year he had 
vetoed the election of eleven of his Council, as they 
were of the popular side. In this year he accepted 
them all, except John Hancock and Jerathmeel 
Bowers. The reported disagreement between Han- 
cock and Adams, and the fact that the latter was 
opposed in his eU'ction in May, 1772, by two hundred 
and eighteen voteo in seven liiindi-cd and twenty- 
three at the Boston meeting, probably influenced the 
Governor to allow the Legislature, in 1772, to return 
to its old apartments in this building. 

As I confine myself to what was done here, I pass 
over tlie various events wliidi tended to hasten the 
final rupture. But it was in tlie adjoining hall, after 
ordering the galleries to be cleared, that Samuel 
Adams produced those confidential letters of Hutch- 
inson to his English friends, which convinced the 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 89 

public that thei-e was no safety for any of the 
opponents of the government. 

In 1773 it ])ecame known that the experiment was 
to be made of shijiping tea to this country and of 
collecting the duty upon it. 

On November 28, 1773, the tea arrived, and, as 
Hutchinson bitterly remarks, " while the Governoi- 
and Council were sitting on the Monday in the Covut- 
cil Chamber, and known to be consulting upon means 
for preserving the peace of the town, several thou- 
sands, inhabitants of Boston and other towns, were 
assembled in a publick meeting-house, at a small 
distance, in direct opposition and defiance." We all 
know the result: that, after exhausting all peaceable 
means for the return of the " detested herb," a body 
of patriots, illegally but rightly, took the responsi- 
bility of consigning three hundred and forty-two 
chests of tea to the waves of Boston Harbor. " This 
was the boldest stroke which had yet been struck in 
America. . . . Their leaders feared no consequences. 
. . . They had gone too far to recede. If the colo- 
nies were subject to the supreme authority and laws 
of Great Britain, their offences long since had been 
of the highest nature. . . . And it is certain that, 
ever after this time, an opinion was easily instilled, 
and was constantly increasing, that the body of the 
people had also gone too far to recede, and that an 
open and general revolt must be the consequence; 



90 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATIOX. 

and it was not long before actual preparations were 
visibly making for it in most parts of the province.'" 
(Hutchinson, iii., 439.) 

Of course this proceeding could not be ignored by 
Parliament, and, in March, 1774, the Boston Port 
Bill, closing the port during the pleasure of the King, 
was passed, with other acts taking all the power 
from the people or their representatives, and giving 
it to the Crown. Persons accused of rioting could 
be sent to England for trial, and special orders were 
given for the arrest of Samuel Adams and other 
leaders. 

On May 17, 1774, Tliomas Gage, the commander- 
in-chief of all the troops in this coimtrj, arrived in 
Boston, commissioned as Governor of the province. 
Landing at Long "^rMiarf, he was escorted up State 
street by the Boston Cadets, under the command of 
Hancock. In this hall he was duly sworn into office, 
and from the balcony the usual proclamation was made. 

The last session of the Legislature held under the 
royal government Avas at Salem, on June 7, 1774. It 
was dissolved oii the 17th, after it had provided for 
the appointment of James Bov.'doin, Thomas Cush- 
ing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat 
Paine, as delegates to the Congress to be held at 
Philadelphia. Thenceforward the old government 
was extinct. In the following year a Provincial 
Congress, elected by the people, assembled at Water- 



0L1> STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 91 

town, to exercise powers acknowledged by all the 
citizens of the new State. In Boston, the royal Gov- 
ernor, with his select board of thirty counsellors, 
appointed by himself, kept ii]) for a while the farce 
of civic government. The true authority was in his 
hands as commanding the troops, and his official 
residence was at the Province House, opposite the 
head of Milk street. 

Hardly anything is on record in regard to the 
Town House during the siege. It is stated that it 
was used as a barracks ; certainly, after the evacua- 
tion of the town, no complaint was made of any 
injury done to it by the troops." On the 19th of 
April, 1775, the battle of Lexington Avas fought; on 
the 17th of June following, the battle of Bunker Hill. 
On the 10th October, 1775, Gage was recalled to 
England, and, during his absence, Gen. Howe com- 

** As an eviJence of the demoralization during the last few days of 
British rule, when private houses were openly robbed by Crean and his 
Tory associates, we find that on Marcli 14, 177lj, Gen. Howe issued the 
following proclamation • — 

" The commander-in-chief, finding, notwithstanding former orders that 
have been given to forbiil ]>hnulering, houses have been forced open and 
robbed, he is therefore under a necessity of declaring to the troops that 
the first soldier who is caught plundering will be hanged on the spot. 

" The commander-in-chief, having been informed that depredations have 
been committed in the Town House, offers the following rewards to any 
person or persons who shall convict any person or persons of cutting 
ansl defacing the King's and Queen's picture, and destroying the records and 
other public papers, viz. : For the King's picture, £50 ; for the Queen's 
picture, £50; for other pictures, records, and public papers, £20." 



92 Ol.n STATK HOrSE KK-l)KI)ICATION. 

manded on the sea-board, and Gen. Carleton in 
Canada. On the 17th of March, 1776, tlie British 
troops evacuated the town ; and. on thv 20th, the 
main body of the American army marched in. 

On the 29th of ]SIai-ch, the citizens of Boston 
held a reguhir meeting for the eU'ctidn of town 
officers, in tlu- Old Wv'wk Clun-cli, Faneuil Hall 
having been titted up as a theatre by the British 
officers. 

On the 18th of July, 1776, the Declaration of 
Independence "was made pubUc, with great parade 
and exultation, from the balcony on the east end." " 

" '• Thursday last, pursuant to tlie order of tlie Uonorable Council, was 
proclaimed from the balcony of the State House in tliis town the Declara- 
tion of the American Congress, absolving the United Colonies from their 
allegiance to tlie liritish crown, and declaring them free and independent 
States. There were present on the occasion in the council chamber a 
committee of council, a number of the Honorable House of Kopresentatives, 
the magistrates, selectmen, and other gentlemen of Boston and the neigh- 
boring towns, also the commission officers of the Continental regiments 
stationed here, and other officers. Two of these regiments were under 
arms in King street, formed into three lines on the north side of the street 
and in thirteen divisions, and a detachment from the Massachusetts regi- 
ment of artillery, with two jneces of cannon, was on their right wing. 
At one o'clock the Declaration was proclaimed by Colonel Thomas Crafts, 
which was received with great joy, expressed by three huzzas from a 
great concourse of people assembled on the occasion. After which, on 
a signal given, thineen pieces of cannon were fired from the fort on Fort- 
hill ; the forts at Dorchester Neck, the Castle, Xantasket, and Point Alder- 
ton likewise discharged their cannon. Then the detachment of artillery 
fired their cannon thirteen times, which was tollowed by the two regiments 
giving their fire from the thi.'leen divisions in succession. These firings 



OLD STATK HOUSE HE-DF.niCATIOX. 93 

The State governraent, which consisted of the 
Legislature without a Governor, still remained at 
Watertown. The session for 1776 begun May 29, 
and continued, by one prorogation and one adjourn- 
ment, until the 12th of November, when it was 
transferred to Boston. The "Boston Gazette," of 
November 4, announces its own removal from 
Watertown to the printing-office opposite the Court 
House, in Queen street, and in its next issue, 
Monday, November 11, states, "Saturday last, the 
General Assembly of this State adjourn'd from 
Watertown, to meet at the State House in this 
Town, Tomorrow, at Ten o'clock." 

On November 10, 1776, seventeen Councillors 



corresponded to the number of the American States united. Tlic ceremony 
was closed with a proper collation to the gentlemen in the council chamber ; 
during which the following toasts were given by the president of tlie council, 
and heartily pledged by the company, viz. : — 

" 'Prosperity and perpetuity to tliu United States of .Vmerica.' 
'"The .American Congress.' 

" 'General Washington, and .success to the arms of the United States.' 
" 'The downfall of tyrants and tyranny.' 
" 'The universal prevalence of civil and religious liberty.' 
" 'The friends of the United States in all quarters of the globe.' 
"The bells in town were rung on the occasion; and undissembled festivity 
cheered and brightened every face. 

" On the same evening, the King's .Arms, and every sign with any resem- 
blance of it, whether Lion and Crown, Pestle and Mortar and Crown, 
Heart and Crown, etc., together with every sign tliat belonged to a Tory, 
were taken down, and tlie latter made a general contiagraiion of in King 
street." — A'eut Enyiand Chronicle for July 'Ja, 1770. 



94 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

signed a proclamation, ''given at tlie Council Cham- 
l)ri- in Boston," foi- a Thanksgiving to be observed 
on December 12 following. 

The various State officials also returned to this 
building, wliich eonliiiiic(l in use as the State 
House, for nearly twenty years. In 1780 the State 
Constitution was adopted, and John Hancock, the 
first Governor of the State, was installed here, to 
the great delight of his fellow-townsmen. James 
Bowdoin, Samuel Adams, and Increase Sumner, 
succeeded Hancock, and presided in this chambi'i-. 

In 1782 a great reception was given in tiie 
Council Chamber to the French fleet and army, 
then returning to Eur()])e. 

On the 2;{d of Ai)ril, 178:5. the Proclamation of 
Peace was received here, " and the sheritf of the 
County of Suffolk, Joseph Henderson, Esq., an- 
nounced the same from the Ijalcony of the State 
House, at one o'clock, before whicli a large con- 
course of the most respectable inhabitants of tlu' 
town were assembled, who demonstrated by three 
loud huzzas, their joy upon this occasion. After 
which, thirteen cannon, from the fortresses at the 
Castle, and the same luimber at Foi-t Hill, were 
fired." 

In 1785 tlie view of the Old Slate House here 
annexed was used on the title-page of the "Boston 
Magazine." It is interesting as showing that the 




JAMES BoWniilN. 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 95 

Province Arms, or their supporters, had disap- 
peared from the eastei-ii front, but that the scrolls 
had not been substituted; and that the steps were 
then in place. It also shows tliat at that date 
this building was regarded as a peculiarly Bos- 
tonian structure, and therefore figured on the fi-ont 
page of a Boston book. 

In October, 1789, Washington visited Boston, 
and reviewed the procession in his honor from a 
balcony erected from the centre wuidow of the 
Representatives' Hall. 

Of course Washington had seen the State House 
in 1776, when he entered the town with his victo- 
rious troops ; but, on this occasion, the building was 
the centre of the pageant iu his honor. We copy 
from the "Massachusetts Magazine" for January, 
1790, a view therein engraved, and the following 
'' Description of the Triumphal Arch aud Colonnade, 
erected at Boston, in honour of the President of the 
United States, October 24, 1789. — The Triumphal 
Arch (designed by Mr. C. Bulfinch) was 18 feet 
high, composed of a centre arch 14 feet wide, and 
one on each side, of 7 feet, with an lonick pilaster and 
proper imposts between them. The frieze exhibited 
13 stars on a blue ground, and a handsome white, 
defitulo cornice was carried to the height of the 
platform; above was painted a balustrade of inter- 
laced work, in the centre of which was an oval tablet, 



96 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DKniCATION. 

Avith the following inscriptions: on one side, ^ To 
the Man who unites all Hearts^ and on the other, 
' To Columhla s favourite Son.'' At the end 
adjoining the State Honse was a ]);iiul decorated 
with a Trophy, composed of the arms of the United 
States, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and 
of our French Allies, crowned with a laurel wreath; 
over these an inscription, ^Boston relieved, March 
17, 1776,^ — as a proof of a grateful rememhrance 
of the service rendered the town by the illustrious 
President in his military character. Over the centre 
arch, a rich canopy, of 20 feet in height, was erected, 
with the American Eagle perched above. 

" The Colonnade (designed by Hon. Mr. Dawes) 
was erected at the west end of the State House, 
adjacent to the Arch. It was composed of sLx large 
columns, 15 feet high, and a balustrade hung in 
front with Persian carpets, on which were wrought 
13 roses. The circle of the Colonnade measured 
44 feet, and projected boldly into the main street, so 
as to exhil)it in a strong light ' Tha man of the 
people.^ The central west window of the State 
House was the door through which the President 
passed to the balustrade, descending from a i)lat- 
form four easy steps, to th(> floor of the gallery, 
Avhich was furnished Avith arni-eliairs, and s])i-ead 
with rich carpets. On this platform was a pedestal 
covered with green, supporting the figure of Plenty, 



Proceiiiiioii. 



BoBTOjf, Oct. 19,- 1789. 

AS this town is shortly to be honoured with a visit from the PRESIDENT of the United States: 
In order that we may pay •our respects to him, in a manner whereby every inhabilani may see so 
illustrious and amiable a character, and to prevent the disorder and danger which must ensue from 
a great assembly of people without order, a Coniiuittee appointed by a respectable number of in- 
habitants, met for the purpose, recommend to th.eir Fellow-Citizens to arrani^e themselves in the following or- 
der, in a 



i O C E 



ION. 



It is also recommended, that tlie person who shall be cliosen as head of each order of Artizans, Trades- 
men, Manufacturers, Ac. shall be known by displayinc; a WHITE FFvAG, with some device thereon expres- 
sive of their several callings, and to be numbered as in the arrangement that follows, which is alphabetically dis- 
posed, in order to give general satisfaction.-— The Artizans, &c. to display such insignia of their craft, as they 
can conveniently carry in thoir hands. That uniformity may not be wanting, it is desired that the several 
Fiag-staiTs be SEVKN feet long, and the Flags a taed square. 

OKDER OF PROCESSION 



MUSICK. 






Goldsmiths and Jewellers, 


, 


No. 17. 


The Selectmen, 






Hair-Dre.s5ers, 




No. 18, 


Overseers of tht- Poor- 






Hatters and Furriers, 


. 


No. 19. 


Town 'I'reaiurer, 






House Carpenters, 




No. 20. 


Town Clerk. 






Leather Dressers, luir! Leather Breeches ) 


No. 21. 


Magistrates, 






.Maker?, 


i 


Consuls of France and Holland, 






Limners and Por'r.ii: Painters. 




No. 99. 


Tbc Officers of his MosuClirisUan M 


jesty's Squadron 


» 


.Masons,^ . - . . 




No. 23. 


The Rev. Clergy, 






.'\last-makers. 


. 


No. 24. 


Physicians, 






Mathematical bistruraent-maKcrs, 


_ 


No. 25. 


Lawyers, 






Millers, 




No. 26. 


Mcrclianis and Traders, 






Painters, .... 


. 


No. 27. 


Marine Sociely, 






Paper Staincr*, 




No. an. 


Masters of Vessels, 






Pewtcrers, . 




No. 29. 


Revenue Oflicers, 






Printers, Bonk.binders and Stationers, 


. 


No. 30. 


Strangers, who may wish to intend. 






Rig:;ers, 


■ 


No. 31. 


Bakers, 


No. 


I. 


Kopc-mtkor.-', 


. 


No. 32. 


Blacksmiths, &c. 


No. 


2. 


Saddlers. 


. 


No, 33. 


Rlock-makers,' 


No. 


3. 


Sail-innUcrs. ... 


, 


No. 34, 


Boat-buildcrs, 


No. 


'1. 


Shipurighi?!. to include Caulkers, Ship- 


oiners 


I No. 35. 


Cabinet and Chair-makers, 


No. 


5. 


Head-lmilden and Sawyers, 




Card-makers, 


No. 


(i. 


bugar-boilcrs. 




No. 36. 


Carvers, 


No. 


r. 


Tailow-Chandlcrs, &c. 


. 


No. 37. 


Chaise and Coacli-makers, 


No. 


8. 


'j'aiinrrs. 


- 


No, 88. 


Clock and VValch-Diakers, 


No. 


0. 


Taylors, 


- 


No. 39. 


Coopers. 


No. 


to. 


I'in-plalc Workers, 


. 


No. 40. 


Coppcrimilhs, Braziers arid I'oundoi 


f, - No. 


II. 


Tohuccoiiist."^, 


- 


No. 41. 


Cordwaincrs, &c. 


- No. 


12. 


Truckmen, 


. 


No. 42. 


Distillers, 


No. 


13. 


Turners,, . . . - 


. 


No. 43. 


Duck Manufacturers, 


No. 


M. 


Upliolslcrcrs, 




No. 44. 


Engravers. 


No. 


15. 


1 W ha/ fingers, - - - 


- 


No. 45. 


Glaziers and Mumbers. 


No, 


IB. 


* UhctUvrigliU, 


- 


No. 46. 



Seamen, 

M. B. — In the above arrangenneiit, some trades are omitted — from the idea, that they would incorporate thcmielvei n-ith the branchei 
mentioned, to which tbey are gcncrallj attached. For in>itance~it is supposed, that under the head ot Blacksmiths^ the Armourers, Cutlers 
■Whitesmithi ond other ivorkrrs in iron, would be included ; and the same with rcipoct to other trades. 

Each division of the aY)ove arrangement is requested to meet on such parade as it may agree on, and march into the Mall — No. I of th 
Artizans, &-C. forming at the Soiith-eml thereof. The Marshalls will then direct in what manner the Procession Hill move to meet th 
President on his .irrival in town. When the front of the Proce)i!>ion arrives at the extremity of the town, it will hall, and ihe whole wil 
then bo directed to open Ihe coluinn— one half of each rank moving to toe right, and the other half to the left — and then face inwards, so a 
to form an avenue through which the President is to j>ass, to the galeries to he erected at tlie State-House. 

Iris requested that the several School-masters conduct their Scholars to tho neighbourhood of the Statc-Housei and form them in suei 
order as the Marshallt shall direct. 

Tiic Marine Society is desired to appoint somopcriDn to arrange and accompany the seamen. 



<»^g^ 063^ o^fl. c<^ C^j» c^jKi c^» «<^ft «<^ «^^ 



OLD STATK HOUSE UK-DEDICATION. 97 

with her Cornucopice and other emblems. As soon 
as the Pi-esident entei-eil this Colonnade he was 
saluted by three hnzzas from the citizens, and by an 
Ode (see our Magazini' for October, 1789, page 
G59), sung by a select clioir of singers, seated under 
the canopy erected over the arch. The whole 
formed an agreeable spectacle, and heightened the 
pleasure of the day." 

We aLso present a fac-simile of the Order of Exer- 
cises on that interesting occasion, from a copy 
preserved in the Boston Public Library. 

Finally, the project of a new State House was 
agitated, and the corner-stone thereof was laid 
July 4, 1795, with Masonic honors. It was first 
occupied by the Legislature on the 11th of Jan- 
uary, 1798, when that august body marched in 
procession from the Old State House to the Xew. 

The following description, written l)y Thomas 
Pemberton, a local antiquary, in 1794, was printed 
in the collection of the Massachusetts Historical So- 
ciety, 1st series, vol. iii., p. 2.'j0: — 

The State House, called the Town House. The hiiililing first 
erected lor governuiental business was placed at the head of King- 
street, and was consumed tiy fire in 1711. In the year following 
a new liiick building was raiseil on the same s(H)t and met with a 
like fate the 9th of December, 1747; whea some of the records 
and other public papers were destroyed. It was repaired in the 
year following, in its present form, and is in length 110 feet, in 



98 OLD STATE HOl'SE HE-DEDICATION. 

breadth 38 feet, and three stories high. Ou the centre of the 
roof is a tower, consisting of three stories, finished according to 
the Tuscan, Doric and Ionic orders. From the upper story is an 
extensive prospect of the harbor, into the bay and of tlie country 
adjacent. 

The U)\ver floor of tlic building serves for a covered wallc for 
any of the inhabitants. On liiis floor are kept the offices of the 
clerlis of the Supreme Judicial Court and Court of Common Pleas. 
The chambers over it are occupied by the General Court, the 
senate in one and the representative body in the opposite cham- 
ber. 

The third story is appropriated for the use of the Committees of 
the General Court. On tlic lower floor are ten pillars of the Doric 
order, which supiwrt the chambers occupied by the Legislature. 
This building is in Cornhill, one mile two hundred and seventy- 
nine yards from Washington street, the late fortification entrance 
from the nook into the town. Its latitude is 42 dog. 21 niin. 
north ; the longitude is 71 deg. 3 njiu. 30 sec. west from Green- 
wich, in England. 

"We have already printed {ante, p. 63) the descrip- 
tion of the building, published in August, 1791, in 
the "■ Massachusetts Magazine." In the same magazine 
for July, 1793, there was ])ul)lisbi'd a larger engrav- 
ing, hci-c reproduced; but no explanation was given 
except a reference to the (•.•urn r is.snc. 

Aiiollur view of the Old State House at this time 
has been preserved to us, being engraved upon the 
policies of the Massachusetts Fire Insurance Com- 
pany. This association, the first so established in 
the State, was incorporated in 179o, and remodelled 



OLD STATE HULSK KE-DEDICATION. 99 

as the Massachusetts Fh-e and Manne Company in 
1799. 

The engraving was retouched, probably at the date 
of the assumption of the new title, and the sidewalk 
at the right was sketched in. The other details were 
somewhat modified, so that the second state of the 
plate has been jjreferred for reproduction herewith. 

A copy of the first impression is in the collection 
of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and one of 
the second issue is placed on the walls of the Old 
State House, both given by Henry C. Short, Esq., 
of Boston. 



After the Legislature had departed, the Town 
House fell upon evil days. The town-meetings 
were held in the enlarged Faneuil Hall, with which 
we are familiar. The courts were transfen-ed to 
the Court House on Court street, and the old build- 
ing was given up to various tenants. The records 
of the town and of the selectmen do not enable us to 
give full details of the occupants. In fact, until 1803 
the title to the estate was in doubt. The State 
claimed the right to sell the property, and to take 
one-half the proceeds. To this the town stoutly de- 
murred, claiming the fee of the land, and a moral 
right, at least, to specify the uses to which the build- 
ing should be put. At the Town Meeting of Mai-ch 



100 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

12, 1798, a committee, consisting of William Eustis, 
Josiah Waters, and William Smith, was appointed 
"to confer with a Committee of the General Court 
respecting the disposal of the Old State House." 
{Records, p. 62.) At the meeting of Nov. 5, 
1798, the subject was again refeired to William 
Eustis, Samuel Brown, Judge Minot, AVilliam Smith, 
and Thomas Edwards, to report at the adjourn- 
ment. (^Records, p. 94.) 

Their report was as follows (^Records, ]>. 99) : — 

Town Meeting Nov. 21, \''M. 

" The Committee :ip|><>int('(l to consider certain resolves of the 
Legislature of this Common \vc;ilth rchitive to the disposition and 
sale of the Old Court House [in the margin " Old State House "] 
so called, have .attoudetl to the snliject, and take leave to rejKjrt 
as follows. 

" First. The Committee are satisfied that the fee of the Land on 
■whicli the House stands, is in tiie Town of Iloston. and that they 
have likewise erected and repaired from time to time nearly one- 
half of the House ; from wiienee it results tliat the Town ought not 
to consent to the proposal made liy the Legislature to apix)int 
agents to sell the said House and Land liiereto belonging, and to 
place one half of the proceeds in tiie Treasury of tne Common- 
wealth. 

"Secondly — The Committee are of opinion that selling 
the premises to any individual ]\'rson or company will be attended 
with consequences very injurious lo tlic Town. The purposes for 
which it might and prolialily would be occupii'd would tend greatly 
to incumber the most frequented street in the Town, which is in its 
present state not of sullicicnt width for public accommodation; 



OLD STATU IinrsE RE-DEDICATION. 1()1 

the danger from fire woiikl be very iniicli increased whether the 
house is appropriated for Shops, Counting-Houses, or in short 
from any use to which tiie interest of individuals iniglit appro- 
priate it. Beside the increase of real obstructions to the Streets 
on both sides of the House, the Committee are apprehensive that 
the Health of the inhabitants may be exposed by the nuisances 
which a complete occupation of the House would necessarily 
imply. 

" The Committee are of opinion that the Town ought to be 
the owners of the House and Land in order that it may be ap- 
propriated to no uses of whicii they shall disapprove. 

" As the Hon"* Legislature appear from their resolves to 
be impressed with an idea that one half of the premises is tlie 
property of the Commonwealth, and at the same time have con- 
sented to refer the claim together with that of the Town and of 
the Counties of Suffolk and Norfolk to the Judges of the Supreme 
Judicial Court for a final decision, 

" The Committee conceive that the Town should agree to the 
reference proposed so far as that the Judges shall finally deter- 
mine what part of the premises is the property of the Town. 

" And with respect to the other proposal of selling whether by 
public or private sale, that the Town should not agree to the 
same, but that the Representatives of the Town be instructed to 
represent to the Legislature the inconveniences which would result 
from a sale to individuals, together with the desire of the Town 
that they will purchase from the State such their proportion of 
the same as the Judges shall award, at an appraisement to be 
made by tln-ee impartial men, to be chosen one by the Legislature, 
one by ihe Representatives of the Town, the third by the two first 
or by lot between them if they cannot agree. 

"William Eustis, pr Order." 

The foregoing Report having been read and considered was 
accepted by the Town. 



102 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

After some delay, at the meeting of March 1, 1802, 
the senators of the district and the representatives of 
the town were given full powers to treat with the 
General Court in regard to tlu- Old Town House 
and land. (liecords, p. 141.) 

Again, March 1, 1802, the Selectmen were made 
a committee to choose referees for a final adjustment 
of the claim of the State and the Town to the Old 
Town House. {Records, p. 193.) 

Finally, Feb. 15, 1803, a resolve was passed 
(Resolves, c. 95, of 1803), autliorizing three com- 
missioners to sell the Commonwealth's interest to 
the town for the sum of $(),0()0. A like release was 
obtained from the counties of Suffolk and Xorfolk, 
fbi- the sums of $1,923.43 and $1,176.58 respectively.*' 

™The following deed, the original of which now hangs on these walls, is 
recorded in the Suffolk Registry, Vol. 205, fol. 207 : — 

Know all Men by these presents : That we, the undersigned, being ap- 
pointed a Committee by the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massa- 
chusetts, by their resolve of the fifteenth of February, one thousand eight 
hundred and three, "and authorized witli full [lower to make sale of all the 
Commonwealth's Estate, right, title and Interest, in and to the Old State 
House, to the Town of Boston, or such person or persons, and on such 
terms, as said Committee shall judge will be most for the Interest and honor 
of the Commonwealth and to execute good and sufficient Deed or Deeda of 
release thereof — and to pay the proceed! or deliver the securities which 
they may receive therefor, into the Treasury of this Commonwealth." 

For and in consideration of the sum of si-i thousand Dollars for the use of 
the Commonwealth aforesaid, paid by the Inhabitants of the Town of Bos- 
ton, in the County of Suffolk — the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowl- 
edge, Do by those presents, sell, release and forever quit claim unto the said 
Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, all the said Commonwealth's Estate, 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 103 

The town then voted, May 23, 1803 (^Records, jj. 
241), "on the article in the warrant, viz. what 

right, title and Interest in and to the building called the Old State House, 
situate at the lieaJ of Sfcite street, in Boston aforesaid. 

To liave and to hold, the ahove released premises, to the said Inhabitants 
of the Town of Boston and their .assigns forever. 

In witness whereof, We have hereunto set our liaiids and seals, in Boston, 

the twenty-eighth day of April, in tlic year of our Lord one thousand eight 

hundred and three. 

ExocH TiTCOMB & a Seal. 

Aaro.n Hill & a Seal. 

NiCHo's TiLLiNGHAST & a Seal. 
Signed, sealed and deliver'd in presence of 
Sam. Cazxeau. 
Edw'd McLase. 
Jacob Kuhx. 

Suffolk, ss. Boston, April 29th, 1803. 

Then the above named Enoch Titcomb, .\aron Hill and Nicholas 

Tillinghast, Esquires, personally appeared, and in their capacity as aforesaid 

acknowledged the foregoing instrument by them subscribed, to be their free 

act and deed. 

Before me 

John .\vkkv .Tus: I'eace. 

A True Copy. 

Attest: John Avery Secretary. 

In lib. 205, fol. 215, is the deed, dated May 21, 1803, by which Soth Bul- 
lard, Thomas Williams, Jr., and Mosas Everett, commissioners appointed by 
the Court of General Sessions of the county of Norfolk, sold to the town of 
Boston all the rights of that county in the Old State House, for 81,176.58. 
This county was in part formed from the old county of Suffolk, which 
had a tiuarter interest in the buildini;. 

In lib. 20G, fol. 236, is a similar deed, dated July 21st, 1803, from Samuel 
Gardner, Ebenezcr Seaver, and Josiah Batcheldor, similar commissioners 
for the county of Suffolk, to sell that county's right in said building to the 
town of Boston. The whole title is thus clearly vested in our city. 



104 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

measures shall be taken for the disposal and manage- 
ment of the Old State House? . . . that the Com- 
mittee chosen in the several Wards in April last to 
assist the Assessors, bo appointed a Committee to 
consider this article in the warrant, and to report 
thereon at the Adjournment." 

On Monday, June 13, 1803, the adjourned meeting 
was held and the following i-eport made: "After 
some debate it was moved that the sense of the 
Town be taken as to the expediency of leasing the 
same, and the question being put, it was ])assed in 
favour of its being leased. The repoit was taken 
uj), amended, and accepted by the town, and is as 
follows "' : — 

That in the opinion of the Board of Assistant Assessors, the 
Committee for the purpose, it would be for the interest of the 
Town to k-ase the Old State House for a term of time not less 
than ten nor to exceed twenty years, and tlie rent to he paid 
quarterly or nmmallv. and Ilial it lie a condition of thi' Lease tliat 
the house lie put into good repair and Kept so during the term for 



^' The records of the Assessors is as follows, and shows that the town 
essentially amended the report before acceptance, in the interest of tlio pro- 
tootinn of the buildini; : — 

1803. .\t a moetinn of the assistant assessors liold at the Selectmens 
Knnni by retjular notifieation to take into consideration and ait n|Min the 
vote of the Town, desiring this Board to make a Keport to lliein of the best 
mode in their opinion for the disposal of the Old State House in Boston, 

Tbistram Barnard, Chairman. 

A long conversation took place on the subject for which the meeting was 
called. 



OLD STATE IIOUSK l{K-DEDICATION. 105 

which it may be leased, by, and at tlie exi)euse of tlie Lessee, 
and shall be occupied for public or private offices and sucli other 



Voted, To ailjourn this meeting to Thursday next at 4 P.M. then to meet 
in thU room ami tliat the Secretary notify the members of the Board thereof. 

Adjourned, Attest W. W.vi.ter, See. 

At a meeting ■>r tlie Board of assistant assessors held by adjournuunt on 
Thursday Afternoon the at the Selectmens Room, when 

having heard tlie opinions of the several Members on the subject of the Old 
State House, the followin:,' Report was drawn up and adopted by a very 
large majority of the Board there beinR present 

Messrs. Tristuam Bauxauh, Wili-iam Walteh, 

Asa Hammond, Jno Brazier, Jno Wait, 
Jacob Rhoades, Joshua Hall, Jon-^ Loring, 
Mitchell Lincoln, Ben.j Smith, Jacob Holland, 
JosiAH Knapp, Jno Winslow, Nathan Webb, 
Francis Wrioiit, and Josiah Wheeler. 

The Board of Assistant Assessors whom the Town at their last Meeting 
Voted should take into consideration & report their opinion of the best mode 
for the future disposal and management of the Old State House, having 
attended that liusiness and very fully considered the subject, beg leave to 
Report : 

That in the opinion of this Board it would be for the interest of the Town 
to Lease the Old State House, for a term of lime not less than Twenty, nor 
to exceed Fifli/ years : the time to be at the option of the Lessee, and the 
rent to be paid Quarterly ; and that it be a condition of the Lease that the 
House be put into good Repair, and kei)t so during the term for which it 
may be leased, by and at the expencc of the Lessee and shall be occupied 
for public or private offices & such other purposes only as the Selectmen 
for the time being shall approve of and that no alteration be made in the 
external form of the Building without their approbation. And that it 
would be best to dispose of the Lease at Auction. 

Voted. That the above report bo signed by the Chairman & presented to 
the Selectmen. 

Voted, That the Meeting be dissolved. 

Attest, W. Walter, Sec. 



lUG OI.l) STATK HOUSE Ki:-1)K1)ICATI()N'. 

purposes only, as the Selectmen for the time being shall approve 
of ; and that no alteration be made in the external form of the 
building without tiicir approbation ; the Lease containing a clause 
providing that if the Rent shall not be punctually paid, according 
to the terms of tiic lease, or if the Lessee or Lessees, their heirs or 
assigns, shall not occupy the estate according to the approbation 
or orders of the Selectmen as before expressed ; or shall suffer it 
to go to waste for want of repairs, that then the Selectmen or the 
Town shall have a right to re-enter, and b3- the re-entry to render 
tlie Lease void after such re-entry ; providing however that the 
rights of re-entr}- be no bar to an action on the Lease against 
the Lessee or Lessees, their heirs, executors, administrators or 
assigns, if the Town consider such mode to be most eligible : 
and that it would be best to dispose of the lease at public auction. 

Tkistram Barsaru, Chairman. 
William AYalter, Secretary. 

The selectmen were instructed, March 13, 1809, to 
cany into complete effect the condition of the lease. 

It would seem tliat in IS09 a Dr. Kaiul was one 
tenant; in 1810 a Mr. IJurley, and also the Colum- 
])iaii Insurance Co. In 1811 the olilce lately occu- 
pied by Mr. Park was divided into smaller rooms. 
In 1812 the cellars were let for three years, for 1^600, 
to 1?. l'^)ster, Josiah Siders, and Edward Flood, or 
Floyd. April 20, 1812, the County Treasurer was 
assigned a room adjoining westerly that of the Town 
Treasurer. July 8, 1812, the room lately hired by 
Henry Messenger, and ihcji by Samuel D. I'arker, 
was valued at §200 rent. In 18].'} ]SIr. Harrington's 
rent was reduced to $120, and :ip[)licalions for a re- 




1 li I' S I \ I 1 lliii -I. [\ 



Ihll.' 



OLD STATE IIOUSK RE-DEDICATION. 107 

duction were made by tlie Commercial Insurance 
Co., Mr. Floyd, and Mr. Siders. In the spring of 
181G Mr. H. N. Rogers applied in behalf of the gen- 
tlemen associated at Merchants' Hall, and obtained 
leave to use the lanthorn of the Old State House as 
an observatory for ships. The rents then fixed were 
for Mr. Barry, |800; Mr. Rea, $800; Gilbert and 
Dean, |200; Beal and Hobart, $150. (Mr. William 
Barry kept a hat-store there in 1826.) Mr. Messen- 
ger declined to pay a rent of $300; and the office 
lately occupied by Mr. Selfridge was let to Mr. 
Parker, for $150. 

On the 20th March, 1816, the building narrowly 
escaped destruction by fire, as the following extract 
from the newspaper shows. The " Columbian Cen- 
tinel " for Saturday, March 22d, reports a fire in 
Fish street, at three o'clock on Thursday morning 
previous, and adds: — 

In the night of the above fire the Old State House narrowly 
escaped destruction, from fire communicating through the fo.nida- 
tiou of a stove to the floor and joists. Fortunately some 
persons who had been roused early by the preceding alarm, en- 
tered the house in season to extinguish the fire, and probal)Iy 
saved the books and documents in the County and town Treasury 
offices from being consumed. 

In January, 1817, Mr. Greenwood applied for the 
upper part, and was informed that the lowest rent 
would be $1,200. Probably this was Mr. E. A. 



108 OLD STATE IIOUSK KE-DEDICATION. 

Greenwood, avIio opened his museinn, July 4, 1818, 
in Court street. 

We copy tlie following description from Shaw's 
History of Boston, printed in 181 7 : — 

Oi.ij State IIousu. — The building first erected for goveni- 
iiK'iital business was placed at the he:id of King-street, and was 
consumed b}- fuv in 1711. In tiic year following a new brick 
building was raised on the same spot, and met a like fate on the 
9th of December, 1747, when some of the records and other 
public papers were destroyed. It was repaired in the year follow- 
ing, in its present form, and is in length one hundred and ten 
feet, in breadth thirtj'-eight feet, and three stories high. On the 
centre of the roof is a tower, consisting of three stories, finished 
according to the Tuscan, Dorick and lonick orders. From the 
upper story is an extensive prospect of the harbor, into the bay, 
and of the country- adjacent. The lower floor of the building 
served for a covered walk for any of the inhabitants. On this 
floor were kept the offices of the clerks of the Supreme Judicial 
Court and Court of Common Pleas. The chambers over it were 
occupied by the General Court, the senate in one and the rep- 
resentative body in the opposite chamber. The third story was 
apiiropriated for the use of llie committees of the General Court. 
On the lower floor were ten pillars of the Dorick order, which 
supported the chambers occupied b^- the Legislature. This 
building is in Cornhill, one mile two hundred and seventy-nine 
yards from Washington street, the late fortification entrance from 
the neck into the town. 

Dec. 28, 1819, Col. Daniel Messinger hired his 
room and the one adjoining, lately oceupied by 
Charles Bridge, for |500. 



or.n STATK iiorsK ke-dedicaiiox. 109 

June 22, 1820, the towni voted to lease all the 
rooms above the lower stor}^, except two on Cornhill 
{i.e., Washington street), for $600, to tlic Free- 
masons, and llu' select men iiiadf a lease aecordingl}^ 
for ten years from October 1. The recoi-ds of tlu! 
Grand Lodge show that the last meethig was June 
0, 1830. 

January 30, 1822, the Directors of the United 
States Bank, being in search of a suitable place, 
offered to buy the building; but the offer was not 
accepted. 

The following description fVom the first edition of 
Bowen's " Pictm'e of Boston," 1828-9, shows the con- 
dition of affairs until 1830 : — 



Old State House. — The building first erected for govern- 
mental business was placed at the head of State-street. It lias 
been twice burnt. The last time it was destroyed was in 1747, 
an<l it was repaired in its present form, in the following j'car. 
The building is in leni;th 110, in breadth 38 feet, three stories 
high, finished according to the Tuscan, Doriek and Ionic orders. 
The lower story of this building is now rented by the city for 
stores and ollices, the second and tliird stories, except one room 
at the west of the second story (wiiich is occupied for the city 
Treasurer's office), are occupied by the Masonic Lodges in Boston. 
The Masonic Hall is elegantly embellislicd ; the decorations and 
furniture are very rich and appropriate, and the room is sufliciontly 
capacious for mo.st masonic purposes. It measures 43 by 32 feet 
and is IC feet higii. The following is a list of the lodges that 
hold their meetings here, viz., — 



110 OLD STATE HOUSE UE-nKTlICATION. 

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on the second Wednesday in 
December, March, June and September. 

Grand Chapter, ■2d Tuesday in December, -Tunc and September. 
St. John's Lodge on 1st Tuesday of each month. 
St. Andrew's on 2d Thursday of each month. 
Massachusetts on last Friday of each mouth. 
Cohimbiau on 1st Thursday of each month. 
Jlonnt Lebanon on hisl Monday of each month. 
St. Andrew's Chapter on 1st Wednesday of each month. 
St. Paul's Chapter on 3d Tuesday of each month. 
Council of K.M. on last Wednesday of each month. 
Encampment on 3d Wednesday of each month. 
This building, being placed at the head of one of the first 
streets in Boston, has quite a pleasant and imposing appearance 
to the stranger as he approaches it from Long Wharf. In Hales 
u Survey of Boston and Vicinity" the measures of distances are 
reckoned from this building. 

The accompanying view is part of a large picture 
painted, in 1820, by Salmon, from a point on Pem- 

berton Hill. 

The city government was inaugurated at Fanenil 
Ildl ^Slay 1, 1822, but no arrangements had been 
made for a City Hall. As will be more fully shown 
in Appendix F, accommodation was obtained for the 
various departments in different buildings, the Mayor 
and the City Connril being prnvided C.r in the Stone 
or Coimty Court-House on School street, on the site 

1 1.^ r\tM TTill Such a state of atTivirs 
now covered by City iiau. oiku 

was of course inconvenient, and the project -.f a City 
Hall was soon agitated. 





WASHINGTON STREET END, 1850. 



STATE STREET END, 1880. 




View from Hemberton Hill, I82y 





WASHINGTON street END, ISSr^. 



WASHINGTON street END. 18bO. 




111'' triitTlc 







r\\\ II Ml. i^:'>ii. 

I I'niiii SiiDw's (iciii;i-n]iliy.) 





City II m.i.. IS:\:>. 
(Kroin Bewick Cii's Mali. ) 



CiM II U.I,. I.'>:!s. 
(Uowfii's rictiirr.) 



OLO STATK IIOUSIO KE-DEDICATION. IH 

In 1830 it was decided to occupy the Old State 
House for city purposes. During these eiglit years 
the preservation of the building had been twice in 
doubt. In November, 1825, it came near destruction 
by fire, as the following ^ote shows : — 

la Board of Aldermen, January 23, 182(;. " It liavinjr been 
made knowu to the Board of Aldei'men, that, at the fire in Court 
street in November last, Mr. Almoran Holmes and Mr. Bcla 
Lincoln were instrumental in preserving tiie City Building called 
the Old State House, by pormittiug themselves to be let down 
from tiio cupola to the ridge-pole of the building, and from thence 
extinguishing the fire that had already rekindled upon the roof 
thereon : Resolved that the thanks of this board be presented to 
them for their distinguished exertions in preserving, with so much 
skill and at so much personal hazard, in the manner above stated, 
the property of flie city from destruction." 

Again, in 1826, the Washington Monument Asso- 
ciation was desirous of ol)tainiiig a site for Chan- 
try's statue, now placed in the State House. They 
finally decided that the l)est place would be on the 
site of the Old State House, in a building to lie 
erected for the purpose. In a report published by 
the trustees they stated " the reasons which induced 
the Connnittee to prefer the site of the Old State 
House had reference as much to the honor and 
interests of the City, to its ornament and con- 
venien'ce, as to the jieculiar fitness of this spot for 
the permanent location of a monument in honor of 



112 OLD STATE HOUSK KK-DKUICATION. 

our First Citizen. This place was selected in tlie 
infancy of our State, as the seat of Legislation aiul 
Jurisprudence. In tlie edifice there erected, a suc- 
cession of firm, enlightened, and vigorous measures 
of resistance to the usurpations of the Jiritish 
ministry were devised and adopted, which must be 
considered as the more immediate causes of our 
National Independence, and it seems to be difficult 
to reconcile the comparatively degraded uses, to 
which that edifice has since been condemned, with 
the unifoi-m patriotism, and veneration for the found- 
ers of our Reiiublic, for which the City of Boston 
has been, at all periods of its history, so distin- 
guished." The committee to jircsent this ivport 
consisted of John Lowell, James Lloyd, John Davis, 
John C. "Warren, AVilliam Sullivan, and Edward 
Everett. Objection, however, was made by the 
public, and the bnilding happily escaped destruction 
at the hands of those who esteemed themselves its 
friends. 

The work of restoration, in 18H0, was conlided to 
Isaiah Rogers, and he entrusted part of the details to 
a young architect just beginning the series of works 
which makes the name of William Washburn fiuniliar 
to us. It Avas a time wlun classical types were in 
voiiiu', and, therefore, tlu' additions wcri' |)atterned 
on Grecian models. Heavy wooden porticos were 
added at eac-h end, and these hails on the second 



OLD STATU HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 113 

floor were fitted to the uses of the City Council. 
In this room the Aldenncn met; in tlie Kepre- 
sentatives' Hall fhc Common Council. The jire- 
ceding extracts from Bowen and Shaw, with the 
accompanying pictures, fully illustrate this occu- 
pancy, which lasted for ten years, until 1840, and 
which, indeed, is recollected by many of our 
citizens. 

To complete the record we copy the following 
from the third edition of Bowen's "Picture," dated 
1838, when there was already a discussion about 
leaving the building : — 

City IIai.l. — Tho first building for governmental business was 
erected at the lioail of what was then called King-street, about 
1658. It has been twice burnt. The last time it was destroyed 
was 1747, and it was repaired in the following year nearly in its 
present form. The building is in length 110, in breadth 38 feet, 
three stories high, finished according to the Tuscan, Doric and 
Ionic orders. Till recently it was called tho " Old State House." 
The latitude of this building is very near 42 deg. 21 min. north; 
the longitude is 71 deg. 3 min. 30 sec. west from Greenwich, in 
England. 

After the Revolution, it was tho place of meeting for the 
General Court, till aftcu- the completion of the State House near 
Beacon Hill. From about that time, to the year 1830 (thirty 
years), the lower floor and cellar were used by various tradesmen. 
Insurance Offices, etc. 

On the 17th Sept., 1830, having been thoroughly repaired, it 
•was, by an ordinance of the City Government, called the " City 
Hall," — by which name it has since been designated. It stands 



114 OLD STATE HOUSE KE-DEDICATION. 

at the head of State street and on the line of AVashington street, 
the Broad way of the metropolis of Massachusetts, having a tower 
overlooking most of the city and harhor, rising from the centre of 
the roof. Tlie fronts on Washington and State streets have each 
a portico. Being in the verj- focus of business and nearly in the 
centre of the city, the use to whicli this venerable pile is now 
devoted appears to give universal satisfaction. 

On the first floor are three large rooms ; that facing AVasliing- 
ton street is the Post-Oflice. At the other extremity, looking 
down State street, is Topliff's News Room, one of the best con- 
ducted establishments, for the accommodation of merchants, in the 
United States. The middle room, a lofty apartment, supported 
by pillars, is the Merchants' Exchange, and common thorough- 
fare to the public offices. 

From this central room is a flight of winding stairs, leading to 
a suite of apartments in the second story. Directly over the Post- 
Offlce is the Hall of the Common Council, in which tliey ordinarily 
meet on public business. In tlic opposite end of the building is 
the Hall of the Mayor and Aldermen. In this room the chief 
Magistrate of the city, together with the Citj' Clerk, remain 
through the day, in the discharge of their ordinary duties. The 
Board of Aldermen liold their meetings, also, on Monday even- 
ings. Around the circular area of the stairs are a series of 
Offices, viz., the Auditor's, Treasurer's, Assistant City Clerk's, 
Clerk of Common Council, and the Health Office, which latter 
accommodates the City Marshal, Superintendent of Burial Grounds, 
Physician of the Port, Captain of tlie Port, Captain of the Watch, 
Superintendent of Lamps, and the Commissioner of Streets. 

Another flight of stairs leads to the third story, in which is the 
Office of the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, City Land 
Commissioner, Messenger, a Committee Room, and a large Hall, 
ill wiiicii is a recently organized public Vaccine Institution, for the 
gratuitous inoculation of the poor. 




ViKw OK TiiK run; in If! 





(From Siilnion'3 Picture.) 



OLD STATE IIOUSK RK-DK1)ICATI0N. 115 

The whole is liirhtod with gas, as well as the lamps at the four 
corners of the building. Besides being oniaiuental to the city, 
the concentration of so man}- important ofBces under cue roof 
renders the City Hall an object of peculiar interest. 

On the 21st of November, 1832, about five o'clociv in the morn- 
ing, this ancient building, the scene of so many interesting events, 
again took fire from an opposite building, under the stool of one 
of the Lutheran windows, which soon communicated with the 
under side of the roof, and had it not been for the uncommon ex- 
ertions of the fire department it must have been completely pros- 
trated in a little time. As it was, however, the damages were 
easily repaired. The appropriation of the Council for the purpose 
was $3,500.00. No papers of importance, were lost, and the 
curious records of the city, from its first settlement, for a third 
time, were safely rescued from a devouring element. 

In Hales' " Survey of Boston and Vicinity," the measures of 
distance arc reckoned from this building. 

Tlie building was, for a third time, put in peril, 
when, on the 21st of November, 1832, the fire in 
a building opposite was communicated to the roof 
of this building, but, happily, was soon arrested. 
Salmon's picture of the event is familiar to ns all, 
having been engraved on the diplomas of the Fire 
Department. Surely we may say of the venerable 
tower, almost in Longfellow's words, — 

" In the market-place of Bruges, stands the belfry old and brown, 
Thrice consumed and thrice rebuilded, still it watches o'er the town." 



After the removal of the City Hall to its School- 
street site, this building was again abandoned to 



116 OLD STATK HOUSE KE-DEDICATION. 

business purposes, and, in the hands of successive 
lessees, it rapidly deteriorated. A hideous mansard 
roof disfigured its external lines; new partitions 
obliterated for the time the fair proportions of these 
halls; signs, telegraph wires and jwles in countless 
number contributed to the shameful defacement. 
The annexed copy of an engraving issued at that 
date portrays the wreck better than any description 
can. So completely were the memoi-ies of the site 
forgotten, and so arrogant were the fancied demands 
of commerce, that, in 1875, it was almost decided 
to pull down the building. Happily better counsels 
prevailed, and the building Avas spared, though 
even then it received a fresh injury in the Ibnn 
of a huge stairway cut through the walls of the 
eastern end, as shown in the picture of that date. 
In 1881, the City Council authorized that work of 
restoration, which, on its completion, is to-day 
submitted to your consideration. 

A complete account of Avhat has been done is to 
be read in Appendix G, furnished by the City 
Architect. It will be enough to state at present, 
that we now behold substantially the same halls 
which echoed the eloquence of Adams, Quincy, 
Otis, and Warren, and which Avitnessed the baflled 
intrigues of Hutchinson and Oliver, and the lui- 
successful i)lans of Gage and Clinton, Howe and 
Burgo^^ne, 



OLD STATE IIOUSE RE-DEDICATION. ]17 

"When, in 1830, Harrison Gray Otis, then mayor 
of the city, stood here to welcome tlie inauguration 
of his government, lie thus nikb-essed the Council 
in regard to this building: — 

It exhibits 110 pomp of architectural grandeur or refined taste, 
and has no pretensions to vie witli the magnificent structures 
of other countries or even of our own. Yet it is a goodly and 
veneraljle pile ; and with recent improvements is an ornament 
of the place, of whose liberty it was once the citadel. And it 
has an interest for Bostonians who enter it this day, like that 
which is felt by grown children for an ancient matron by whom 
they were reared, and whom, visiting after years of absence, 
they find in her neat, chaste, old-fashioned attire, spruced up to 
receive them, with her comforts about her, and the same kind, 
hospitable, and excellent cre.ature whom they left in less flourish- 
ing circumstances. But to this edifice there is not only a natural, 
but " a spiritual body," which is the immortal soul of Independ- 
ence. Nor is there, on tlie face of the earth, another building, 
however venerable for its antiquity, or stately in its magnificence, 
however decorated by columns and porticos, and cartoons, and 
statues and altars, and outshining the wealth of Orraus or of 
Ind, entitled in histor}- to more honorable mention, or whose 
spires and turrets are surrounded with more glorious halo than 
this unpretending building. 

I refer you to the day when Independence, mature in age and 
loveliness, advanced with angelic gr.acc from the chamber in which 
she was born into the same balcony, and holding in her hand the 
immortal scroll on wliieh her name and character, and claims to 
her inheritance were inscribed, received from the street, filled with 
an impenetrable phalanx, and windows glittering with a blaze of 
beauty, the heartfelt homage and electrifying peals of men, 



118 OLD STATK HOirSK UE-nEniCATION. 

women, and children of the whole city. The splendor of that 
glorious vision of my childhood seems to be now present to my view, 
and the harmonj- of that universal concert to vil)ratc in my ear. 

We, gentlemen, have now become, for a short period, occu- 
pants of this Temple of Liberty. Henceforth, for many j'ears, 
the City Government will probably be here administered. 
May we, and those who will succeed us, appreciate the respon- 
sibleupss attach'^d to our places by the merit of our predecessors ; 
and tliough we cannot serve our country to the same advantage, 
may we love it with equal fidelity. And may the guardian genius 
of our beloved city forever delight to dwell in these renovated 
walls ! 

After the lapse of half a century Ave assemble to 
renew these pious labors, and to repeat his fervent 
prayers for their success; but tlie times are more 
propitious for us, since the present generation has 
been taught anew the necessity of perijetually culti- 
vating those patriotic virtues which alone can ani- 
mate a nation in times of adversity. 

Twenty years have passed since the assembled 
citizens of Boston were again aroused, from the 
balcony of this chamber, by the eloquence of those 
speakers Avho uttered the cry, " To arms ! " 

God grant tbat in our day that appeal may never 
again be made; but should the necessity arise, it must 
be made to a community which has been daily 
familiar with the lessons taught by the memories of 
these halls as well as of the " Cradle of Liberty," — 
Faneuil Hall. 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-I)EI)ICAT10N. 119 

" Here the child Independence was born ! " and 
Avliat untold glories in the future that birth por- 
tended ! The independence for which our fathci-s 
fought was freedom of thovight, speecli, and action in 
every land and in every generation. The chain 
which they broke Avas not sinijjly that of Great 
Britain over America, but the greater fetters of 
usurped authority over the bodies and minds of 
millions in other lands. To our success is to be 
attributed whatever liberty has been achieved for the 
suffering nations of Europe, or for the long-enslaved 
victims of unwarrantable oppression in our own land. 
I had thought I had recited all the stirring events 
connected with this building, but I pause to add that 
it afforded a temporary shelter to William Lloyd 
Garrison, as he was unwillingly rescued from the mis- 
guided rage of a pro-slavery mob. Let us rejoice 
that we to-day can assert, that, among the results 
of that Independence which was first proclaimed 
on this spot, has been the purging of the Great 
Republic of the anomalous stain and reproach of 
domestic slavery. 

And, surely, if we have, at so great cost of treasure 
and blood, expiated our national sin, we may turn, 
with expectant gaze, to our sister nations for a simi- 
lar sacrifice. The independence which we inculcate 
demands that, wherever, under any 2)rofessed form of 
law, the labor of the peasant jirofits only his master, 



120 OLD STATK HOUSE UK-DEDICATION. 

that iniquity shall cease, — whether it l)i' in tlie 
familiar case of Ireland, whose wrongs meet with so 
prompt a response in kindred bosoms here, — or of 
Russia, where the lurid torch of Xihilism reveals 
the misery of untold millions, — or wherever else the 
wretched serf looks eagerly to the laud of promise 
on this side of the Atlantic. 

Fellow-citizens, so long as we maintain the sacred 
fires upon the altars, we may claim the right to be 
especially favored by the divinity. I cannot allow 
myself to dwell upon the ijossibility of any future 
surrender of these walls to any purpose less appro- 
priate than that we now celebrate. I cannot antici- 
pate any decrease in the prosperity or the public 
spirit of oni- beloved city. I can only predict that 
future generations, for centuries to come, will visit 
this spot and will remember us thankfully for what 
we have this day done. 

To you, Mr. Mayor, as the highest representative 
of the city, I now transfer the care and custody of 
the Old State House, felicitating you upon the hon- 
orable duty, and congratulating the city that it 
devolves upon one so well qualified, by assiduous 
study, to appreciate the value of this acquisition. 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 121 

At the conclusion of ISIr. ^V'liitmore's address, Ilis Honor 
Mayor Green said : — 

MAYOR GREEN'S REMARKS. 

Mr. Chairman : — The Old State House to-day 
comes back to the city, and as the chief executive 
officer I greet the venerable structure with a warm 
and hearty welcome. After an occupation of many 
years for purposes of general business, these halls 
are now to be used for the reception and preserva- 
tion of historical objects of local interest. The com- 
mittee of which you are at the head, Mr. Alderman, 
having this matter in charge, deserve the thanks of 
the community, for the way in which it has been 
done. I know full well that the work has fallen 
largely on the shoulders of the Councilman Avho has 
given us this morning his interesting and instructive 
address, and it is through his untiring zeal as an 
antiquary that this jilan has been brought to a suc- 
cessful issue. I sympathize most warmly with him 
in the expression that the use we now give to these 
halls may be the permanent one. He has told how 
this building was erected as a town-house, and 
traced its history from the earliest days to the 
present time. Its close connection with the various 
political events of our city and State makes it a 
conspicuous monument in our local annals. 



122 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATIOX. 

The formal dedication of a public liuilding is a 
custom of comparatively modern times. The found- 
ers of l^ew England were too busy to indulge in 
mere fonualities; and, even if they had the time, they 
were apt to look upon such observances as idle and 
frivolous. They regarded the various purposes to 
which a building Avas jjut as in themselves a sufficient 
dedication; and for this reason they avoided any 
special ceremony to emphasize its objects or iises. 
While it is true, then, that this structure was never 
formally dedicated, it is equally true that it was con- 
secrated by all that was high and noble in patriotic 
service, through the words that were spoken and the 
deeds that were insjjired within its walls. 

The political town-meeting is an outgrowth of 
New England life, and it has been the very cradle of 
American liberty and independence. It originated 
with the first comers and has been kept up by their 
successors till the present time. The freemen of the 
several towns came together in public meeting to dis- 
cuss and settle questions of general interest. They 
chose town ofBcers, to whom was delegated the 
power to manage their civil as well as ecclesiastical 
affairs. It was at such gatherings that a free and 
full recognition of popular rights was first made in 
this country, and the very foundation and corner- 
stone of our present political system laid. The best 
insight of the forces that developed local self-gov- 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE^DEDICATION. 123 

ernmeiit is to be found in the action of such meet- 
ings. The causes that brought aljout the separation 
of the American colonies from the mother country 
were rijiening during many years, but they were kept 
ahve and active by these pubHc assemblages. Bos- 
ton was the largest and most influential town on the 
continent, and was always ready to take the lead in 
public affairs. When she spoke, her voice was heard 
with no doubtful sound, and she had all New Eng- 
land for an audience. Her utterances were given 
from this building as well as from Faneuil Hall and 
the Old South Meeting-house. These three struct- 
ures are full of historical reminiscences and associa- 
tions, and I envy not the man who can approach 
any one of them with ordinary feelings. Rude 
though they are in external form they represent 
in Ihi'ir ti'aditions the hig'licst form of religion 
and patriotism, as understood by the framers of 
our government. He lacks some of the human 
sensibilities whose heart is not tln-illed, and whose 
emotions are not quickened, when he enters their 
portals. 

I do not forget the fact that this building was 
occupied by the municipal authorities during a period 
of ten years. On Sept. 17, 1830, the two hundredth 
anniversary of the settlement of Boston, the City 
Government, under the Mayoi-alty of Harrison Gray 
Otis, took possession of these apartments, and used 



124 OLD STATIC IIOrSK KK-DEDICATION. 

them until March 18, 1811. Il was under this roof 
that the administrations of Charles Wells, Theodore 
Lyman, Samuel T. Armstrong, and Samuel A. Eliot 
were carried on; and it Avas while Jonathan Chaj)- 
nian was Mayor that the city offices Avere again 
removed to the City Hall, standing between Court 
square and School street. Whatever may be the fate 
of other public buildings, let us cherish the hope that 
the Old State House may stand as a connecting link 
between the provincial and national periods of our 
country's history, and that it may continually remind 
us of the unselfish devotion and liard struggles of 
the men who laid the ibundation of our present gov- 
ernment. 

Alderman IIersey. — T i-ecognize among our 
honored guests to-day, the face and form of him 
whose memory extends far back into the past, and 
who, I know, can give us some personal reminis- 
cences connected with this ])uilding. I allude to 
the Hon. Marshall 1*. \\'iklcr. 

REMARKS OF HON. MARSHALL I'. WILDKR. 

I (lid not expect, ]\rr. flavor, and .Mr. Chainnan, 
to be called upon here to say a single word to-day. 
At my time of life, and under this oppressive heat, 
my words must be very few. But I rejoice from the 
bottom of my heart that I am able to be here on this 



OLD STATE HOUSE KE-DEDICATION. 125 

consecrated spot, and participate in the ceremony of 
the restoration of the Old State House. 

I say my Avords must be few; but I desire to 
tender to His Honor the Mayor, and to the City 
Government, the thanks of the Historic-Genealogi- 
cal Society, in their behalf and in my own; I desire 
to thank you for the wisdom of makmg the appro- 
priation which has placed again, as we believe, nuich 
in its old style, this building of former days; and I 
desire to thank Mr. Whitmore for his energetic, 
entei'prising, persistent, and successful labors in bring- 
ing again into this form, this structure, so ancient, 
and so renowned in the history of this city, because 
of the events, so graphically described by Mr. Whit- 
more and His Honor the INIayor, which transpired 
upon this spot. Here Independence drew its first 
breath. This spot, now consecrated by the restora- 
tion of this building, will perpetuate the history of 
those men, who, more than any others, led in the 
American revolution, and gave to the world the first 
great, free, and independent nation on earth. 

The work has been well accomplished. Nothing 
could be more appropriate ; and the provision made 
for it by the City Government, I am sure you will 
all say, could not have been more judiciously ex- 
pended. For I hold that next to training the spirit 
for the life eternal, there is no obligation more 
solenm than that of perpetuating to futm-e genera- 



]2G OLD STATE IIOUSK KK-DKDICATION. 

tions the principles and vii-tucs of those noble men 
who gave to the world this great republic, — principles 
and virtues upon which must ever rest the happiness 
and i)rosperity of all our peojjle. 



This ended the formal exercises. The following letters, 
addressed to the Chainiiaii of the Committee, Alderman 
Woolley, were not I'cad, owing to his absence ; ])ut they are 
worthy of preservation in the history of the celebration : — 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 

HxECUTivE Department, July 8, 1882. 

1\Iy dear Mh. Alkekman : — I thauk you for your kiud iuvi- 

tation to the rc-dedieatioii of the Old State House, with its 

interesting associations. I am uiKil)le to accept on account of 

engagements at the same hour, but I beg to send in3- kindest 

wishes for the occasion. 

Very truly yours, 

JOHN D. LONG. 
Wm. Woollkv, Esq. 

Navy Yauu, Boston, 
Commandant's Office, July 10, 1882. 
Deak Siu: — I have hail tlic honor of receiving your kind 
invitation to attend at the Old State House to-morrow to partici- 
pate in the ceremonies of tiie re-dedication of that ancient and 
interesting structure. I greatly regret that my health is such 
that I will not be able to .attend. 

With many thanks to yi)U and to Mr. Wliilinori', I have the 

honor to be, 

Verj- respectfully yours, 

O. C. BADGER, Cuvimodore, U.S.N. 

William Woolley, Esq., 

City Council, City Hall, liostoii. 



APPENDICES. 



APPENDICES. 



APPENDIX A. 



Copies of Origrinal Papers, iu the possession of tlie 
3Iassachusetts Historical Society, relatiii}r to llic Erec- 
tion of the Town House in Boston in 1057. 



1. 

roWKU CONFERRED BY THE COMMITTEES FOR THE TOWN 

HOUSE — 1G57. 

Wco whose names are viulcr wrighten having full power given vs by the 
Town of Boston to Agree with workmen, & in their hehalfe to Engailge the 
Town, In tint Payment of any sum or sums for tlie liuililing Ereeting & Com- 
pleating of A house for the Town both for the forme & ilimentions &c. accord- 
ing as we sliall JuJge meet. They the s'' Towne having Engadged Iheuiselves 
to own & stand by vs and pforme what promises Covenants or Engadgni wee 
should make in order to the aeeomiilishing of the i)remises. And In facillitate 
the s"' worke we the s'' subseribeil doe make choyce of M Edward Hutchinson 
& John Hull in o hehalfe to Agree & Compound with workmen & Engadge 
paym' in everie respect for the s'' worke & we doe hereby oblidge o' selves to 
stand by, own, & performo what the s'' M' Ed; Hutchinson & Jn Hull See 
deputed shall doe or Engadge themselves in as iti' it was the personall act of 
everie one off vs & heervnto we subscribe o' hands, by this binding o' selves 
likewise to own what the s'' prtyes have allridy done in the s'' worke signed 
this ai of the 6"" month lGu7. 



Townesmen 
Commissioners ' 



Tuo: Marshall 
Samukl Colk 
William Paddy 
Josh: Scottow 
. Jkr: Howcuin 



2. 

AGREEMt for the TOWN HOUSE — 1G57. 

IIo8ton, August 1, 1657. 

Wee whose names are vnder wrighten Being chosen by & in behalfe of the 
Towne of Boston, to bargain & Contract with some able workmen about A 



loO OLD STATK IKIISK KK-DKDICATION. 



house for the Town, we liave bargained & Contracted, & by these presents doe 
bnrRain & Covenant with Tliomas Joy and Hartlioloniew Bernad of Hoston ; & 
the s'' Thomas Joy & liarlh Bemad, are heerl)y l)ound & doe oblidfje them- 
selves vuto the s'' Ti>wn of ]ioston (& in vn [to] In theire behalfe) that they 
will Prepare & Erect, a very substantial! and C^>mely buildinf; In the place 
Appointed by the s'' Town ; The dimentions of w^i" Kdifiee shall be sixty six foot 
in Length, and tliirty six foot in Breailth from ont side to out side, set vpon 
twenty one Fillers of full ten foot liii,'h between Pedestall & Capitall, & 
well brased all four wales, placed upon foundation of stones in the bottome. 
T!ie whoU Buildiiij; loJetty over three foot witlu)Ut tlie I'illers everie way: 
The height of the s'' House to be ten foot betwixt Joynts above the Pillers, 
and a halfe storie above tliat with three j;al)le Endes over it vpon each 
side : A walke vpon the Top fourteen or 15 foote wide with two Turrets, & 
turned Balasters and railes, round about the walke according to A modell or 
draught Presented to vs, by the s<i Tho: Joy, & Barth: Bcrnad. The s'' Tho: 
Joy & Barth. Bemad Likewise finding things necisarie and meet for the s"! 
Building viz : Tindier in in evcrie respect & of everie sort, substantiall & meet 
according lo Pro|)ortion & Art, Plank for the sides & ends three Inch thick,* 
well groved into one another, and into the tind)ers allso an Inch and halfe; 
well i)lained and smoothed on Both sides, two Inch plank for the lower 
floor, and full Inch for the vpper floor. Both smoothed, and vpon the walk 
duble boarded and well groved; the Kooft' well boarded & shingled, with 
gutters sufficiently made. 

Bringing all to the Place, Erecting finishing & Coinpleating the whole Edi- 
fice viz The Frame, foundations, Floores, staires (viz Two pair halfe paced 
staires & turned staires vp into the walke) doores, window Cases & Casements 
mantle ])eeces Inclosures Pertitions f ^'icThe wholl Edifice to be Erected, by 
the thirty daye of the fourth month called June next ensuing the date lieer- 
off; and (^>vered and shingled within six weekes after that. The Town find- 
ing all the Iron worke, as nailes hookes hinges &e. glass with glasingand Lead 
for the Gutters masonrie worke as the chimnies, foundation of the Pillers with 
stone brick & Lime belonging to the same the aflb's'' Tho: & Barth: all the 
other worke as affo,"'' The Town finding hel]) at the raysing. 

In consideration of the premises we doe lieerby oblidge ourselves (accord- 
ing to order & in behalfe of the s'' Town of Boston aft'ors'') To give & .Vsslgne 
over vnto the s'' Tho: Joy & Barthol: Bernad or to either of them or their 
assignes the three llund: Pounds w<^'' is that Part of the Legacy of Cap' Rob 
Key ne (deceased) designed & bequeathed vnto the s'' Town in his Last will for 
ther vse, and also one bund. Pound more we heerby oblidge o'selves to Pay 
or Cause to be paled vnto the s'' Thomas & Bartholomew or their .Assignes In 
good English goods at price Currant, and likewise t(j doe our vltmostthatone 
fillty pound of this above mentioiu'd ]>;iym' (viz out of the thre lliin'') maybe 
nwide in mony for the more lively cavsing an enil of the aflo's"" worke. 

'I'he time w''' PiiynuMit shall be as foUoweth viz: one Ilund. Pound at the 
Bringing of the Timber to the Place -V second Ilund: at the raysing A third 
Ilund: at the inclosure & Covering A fourth at the finishing an(l Coinpleating 
vnto all these premises aboves'' we doe lieerby Joyntly&, severaly mutualy & 
Interchangeably bind o'selves by o'' hands vt scales this first of August, Kio". 

We doe also engadge that the three llund: ])ouiul in the Legacy aboves"* 
shall be made good vnto the s'' workmen Thonuis & Bartholomew. 
Witness heer vnto 

Josi;rii Nkwoate Edwakii Hutchinson [seal] 

Jasihs BitowNK John Hull [seal] 

Hf.NHY POWNINO 



• Only we alow of Two Iiicli plank fur llic Hiilrs it i-nils ahovi- tliu I'liitoi* S: iK-aincs. 

t There U to be both Ko(tme» from tin* ebimniee cloned on both sides and one Cross partition 
in one of the lioomes; beside the sUiir case. 



APPENDIX A. 



i;}i 



(Ol'Y OF THE SUBSCRIPTION PAPEK FOR THE FIRST TOWN 
HOUSE IN BOSTON, ERECTED BETWEEN 1G57 AND lOOy. 

Whearas thcar is piiien a considerabl sunie hy Capt Kayne towars tlie 
Buldini,' of a towne house w* sum will not ataine tlie HuUlinii; w='' lie inen- 
tioneth in his will, now consiilerin'; the vscfuUncs of such astruoture we whose 
names are vnder written, doe inpig or seines or lieyres executors for to giue 
towards the abou sd hous and alsoe a condit in the market place the severall 
sumes vnder written. 



17. pd 
pd 
pd 

pd 46 s 



pd 



pd 
pd 
pd 
pd 
pd 

paid 

paid 
pd 
P<1 

paid 
pd 

paid. 

paid 
p<l 
pd 

pd 
paid 



])aid 

pd 
paid 
paid 
paid 

pd 
paid 

[]!'J 
paid 
paid 
paid 
]>aid 



Jo: Endecott 

Ri Bellingham in Country pay 
Edward Tyngc in Corne 
John Euered in goods and corne . 
Peter OUiuer in goods and provisions 
John" Barrett : in gooiis : or corne 

(1. 29 Aug. 1G58 
.Tames Olliuer provided there be a Cundit withall in 

goods and provisions eqelly 
Will Paine in goods and provisions 
Richard Parker in goods and provisions 
Nath.aniell Williams in goods 
Sarah Parker in provisions 
Henry Powning in goods 
John Cogan in Corne .... 

[ ] five pound .... 
Theodore Atkinson will give in hats 
Tho Howjiings ..... 
John Hull In English goods five'" 
Thoniis Clarke in provision or goods 
Robt Turner .... 
Richard Cooke in provisions . 
Robert Swift .... 
Samuel Hutchinson in wheat . 
Josli Scottow in pvision or goods 
Will'" Hudson will : pay in bricks lyeme 

boards [ ] or timber the some of . 
Hezekiah Usher : will pay 2 In English 

Goods or equivolent, twentye : poundes, 

prouiso : y' y' market house bee Errected 

in y" markett place- & a Cunditt. 
W" Dauis will pay in goods & corne Fifteene pounds 

provided y*' market-house be eerected in y" markett 

place & a conduitt also raised & Finished . 

Thomas Buttolph 

James Penn ........ 

Jacob Sheafe in provision & goods 
Tho: Lake i In English-goods & 4 In provisions . 
Isaak Waker in English goods or provisions . 
John Sunderline :!£...... 

Robt: Pateshall, in planke or boards 

Thomas Matson ....... 

John Williams ....... 

Thomas Edsell ....... 

Thomas Bligh ....... 



2—10—00 
10—00—00 pd 
10—00-00 pd 
010:^00—00 pd 
10^00-00 
03—00—00 



12— 0-00 pd 
1.") . 00 . 00 
10-00-00 pd 
03—00—00 pd 
05—00-00 pd 
02—00-00 pd 

03—00—00 pd 

005 :00 :00 pd 

02 0— 
05—00—00 pd 
04-00-00 pd 

5— 0— pd 

03 10 00 pd 
02 . 10 00 pd 

5 . 00—00 pd 
5 :00— 00 pd 



10=00=00 pd 



20=00=00 pd 



15 — — 
02-00—00 
05—00-00 
12—00-00 
09-00 :00 
03—00—00 
03 -00=00 
05 :00 :00 
1— 0— 
0—10— 
00—10— 
00—15 00 



132 



OLD STATK HOUSE KE-DEDICATION. 



paid Richard Oridley 

paid Julin Jlutton .... 

lieiijainin Mej^iis 

James Kueritt in Flower 

Kobt Batterly 
paid .Tolin ('onfv .... 
paid Samiu 11 .Mattockc . 
l)aid Hioli'' StaiK'S .... 
)>aid Kowlaiul Story in Lewtenant Cook 
paid Hi Waytc .... 
paid I'liillip Wliorton 
paid Ausustcn Clement . 
paid Hieliard Woodde in provision [ 
pai<l .Tolin l*hillips .... 
paid 'I'lio Kiiions .... 
paid Thomas Eittell tlire dayes worke 

Humphrey Uradshaw thre dayes \v 

Joseph Bonde ten shilings by S; 

George ISrome a bushel wheate 
paid William I'addy 
])aid Henry K( inble 
paid Thomas .Makepeace 
paid Joshua Hewes 

FtVanees Smith 
paid Francis Douse 
])aid John I'ierce .... 
paid Simon Eire .... 
paid Comfort Starr 
l)aid Henry I'hillips 
])aid Henry Shrinipton Corne wood 
])aid .Jolm Lowel .... 
paitl (ieorge Muiut)y three pounds 
paid .Ino. Joylifli' .... 
paid .Vmos Kicliardson . 
])d Edmond Grenlef!" . 
I)il Edward I'orter 
])aiil Nicholas I'hillips . 
pil Thomas Harwood . 
jiaid Thomas lirattle 
paid Thomas ]5akcr in Iron workes 
paid John iiifigs in Shingle or worke 
l>aid Jo: Marshall in shoes 
paid Henry Alline [ ] . 
))aid Hugh Drury .... 
paid John Collens .... 
paid Thomas Seotto 
paid Xathanell Thorn . 
|)aid John J'ears .... 
paid William Heade 
paid Will. Tay .... 
])aid Jo". Blaeklach 
jiaiil tTolin (lough .... 
paid Sam" ])avicc .... 
l)aid Samnell Cole .... 
paid Cliristoi)her Gibson 
l)aid Uobert Nanney 
paid Henry Briilgham . 
paid Thonuis Waker 



ham 



orkc 
11 L 



02—00—00 
05—00— 

01—00—00 
00—1.5—00 
00—15—00 

00— 7-00 
00—10-00 

01 :00 :00 
02—00-00 
02—00—00 

1— 0— 

01— 0— 
03— 0— 

1— 0— 
00—10— 
00—10— 
00—10— 
00—04-00 
12— 0— 
00—10— 
01—00 . 
00—10— 
00 . 10-00 
00-09— 
s4— 00 — 

1.10. 
01-00-00 
05-00-00 
10-00-00 
03—00 00 
03—00-00 
03 . 00 . 00 

02 : 00 . 00 
0—10— 
1— 0— 
0—10— 
1—00— 
5— 0— Q 

01—00— 

002—00—00 

01— 0— 

01-00-00 

01-00 

1— 0— 

1— 0— 

0—10— 

1— 0— 

00-10-00 

00—10—00 

01—00—00 

00—10—00 

00—05-00 

02—00-00 

02-00-00 

02—00-00 

10-00-00 

12—10—00 



APPKNDIX B. 



133 



paiJ 

p.iiil 
paid 
paid 
paid 
paiil 
paid 

paid 
paid 
paid 

pd 
paid 
paid 
pd 10s 
paid 
paid 
paid 
paid 



paid 

pd 

pd 53 



paid 

paid 
paiil 
paid 



Xatlianoll Rcynolls .... 

.lohn Ilawkines tobaco 

Artluir Masson ..... 

.Vim Carter 10s ..... 

.lames Dauis l)y Tlio: Joy (is v>t 4s inori; 
Daniel Turill ...... 

Thomas Fitch ..... 

K<lmund .Taclilin in glass or worke if I lie 
coiitry when the house is to be glassed 

■William Gibson 

.Jeremy Castine ..... 

Kdniund .lailison by Thomas F.ay . 

Miells Towne in lether .... 

William English — in shoes . 

.Joseph Howe Twenty Shillings 

Samuel Norden in shoes 

Kobert Xash in worke .... 

Mathew Barnes — paid 1 — 9 — 3 

Tliomas Dewer ..... 

William Corser ..... 

Bartholomew Cheever 30 s . 

Ilenery Messenger — paid 

Will. CoMmrn in [ ] or provision paid IG 

Edward (ioodwin ..... 

.James Johnson in his Comodityes . 

John Newgat promise to give five pound 

[ ] the preveledg of our [ ] 
Thomas Bunisted of Boston promise 

Natlia. Duncan 

Peter Duncan ...... 

Jolin John Wiswall 

Joseph Wise 



n the 



01—00 00 
01—00—00 
00—10—00 
00—10 . 00 
00—10—00 
01-00-00 
00-10-00 

01— 00=00 
00— OS— 00 
01— !)0— 00 
01-00-00 
00— .5s— 00 
02—00-00 
01— 0— 
00—10— 
01-10-00 
1—10—00 
01—00— 
00—10— 
01—10— 
0—10— 
3 . 00 00 

0— or.— 00 

02 :00 :00 

10-00-00 
1—00—00 
2-. .— . .— 
1—10—00 

02—10— 
2—00—00 



APPEJO)IX B. 



VOTES .VND .\CTS IN KEGARD TO REBUILDING 
HOUSE AFTER THE FIRE IN 1711. 



THE TOWN 



To his Excellency Joseph Dudley EsqrCapt General & Governourin Chief 
of Her Majestys I'rovince of the Massachusetts Bay, the Honoble the Coun- 
cil and the Representatives in General Court Assembled. 
October 17. 171!. 

The Humble Representation and Addresse of the Select Men of the Town 
of Boston. 

May it please your E.xcellency 
and Honours 

Amidst the .\wfull Desolation & Consumption of Many Dwellings & much 
of the Substance of this Town by the fiery dispensation of Providence, It is 



134 OLD STATK HOUSE RE-DEDICATIOX. 



a particular humbling and Afllictive Article That the House for Puljlick Meet- 
iny;s oil Civic Occasions tor the Province, County & Town, viz' for tlie Meeting 
of llio General Assenilily, the Holding of Councils, & Courts of Justice, & 
Town Meetings, is new lying Waste in its Ashes. 

We account it our Duty to lay the Consideration thereof before your Ex- 
cellency & this Hono''''^ Assembly and humbly pray your Advice & Direction 
for the Restoring & Rebuilding of the House for those Tublick Uses & about 
the place where to set the same 

That what is most Honorable for the Government may be done therein. 

And Crane leane to Subscribe 
Vour Exci'llcy & Honours 
Obedient hunil)le Servants 
p Order and in the Name of the s'' Select Men 

JosKi'ii Prolt Town Clerk 

In the House of Representatives October 22. 1711. Read & 

Ordered that Samuel .\ppleton .losiah Cha|)in .Jn" Clarke James Warren 

Esqrs, Major Thomas Fitch Capt Simon Davis & Capt. Samuel Phijips bo a 

Committee to Joine with such as the Honoble Board shall ap]ioint to Consider 

of this .Vddresse & Report their opinion of what is proper to be done therein. 

Sent up for Concurrence. 

John liuiiiiii.i.. Speaker. 

Die pred : In Council ' 

Read and concurred. .\nil Elislia Hutchinson Samuel Sewall Natlil 
Payne i- Thomas Noyes Esqrs Named of the Committee for the affair afores"*, 
Klisha Hutchinson Esqr to Appoint time & place 

Isaac Addington Secretary. 

The Above Committee Advise that there be a House built in or Near the 
place where the Old Town House Stood for the Uses mentioned in the Memo- 
rial as convenient as may be without incommoding the Street The breadth 
not to Exctede thirty six feet the length So as to be Convenient for the ends 
Mentioned in the Addresse That a Committee be Appointed hy this Court to 
Take Care for the building as speedily 4" prudently as may be The Charge 
thereof to be borne the one half by the Province, the other half by the Town 
of Boston & County of Suffolk in equal proportion.' 

]5y Order of Slajor part of the Committee 

Elisua Hutchinson. 

Nov' 9"^ 1711. In Council Read & sent down 
In the House of Representatives Nov' 9"'. 1711. 
Read & Accepted with the Amendments. 

John Burhill Speaker. 

Novcmbe' 10. 1711. In Council Read and Concurred 

And that Elisha Hutchinson and Penn Townsend Esq" with such as shall 
be Named liy the Representatives be a committee for the affaair. The Com- 
mittee to Advise with his E.\c"^y & such skillfull Gentlemen they may think 
fitte to be consulted with about the Jlodel of the House 

Sent down for Concurrence Isaac Auuinoton Secretary. 

* A copy of this report proservt-d by tlio MrwHaclinNctte nintortcnl Society, Ifl printed in the 
City volume on llie Dedication iff tlic prri-ciit City IliUl in lHt).'>. 'I'licru iw on It tliiM nicniorau- 
dinn : •• Xole, Tliat tile Ilout'f U fur I'ublirli Mi-Vliiigs on t'ivil Occifions : f«ir tlic Province, 
County and Town, viz, for tlic Meeting of tho Uvucral AMcmbly, thu Uulding of Caiuiclls 
and CourlH of Justice, and Town inuellut;. 



Ari'EXDIX B. 135 



In till' House of Representatives 

Noveiiib' 10. 1711. He.id & Conourrod And Aiidington D.^venpo^t Sam" 
TImxter Esqr" & Capt. I'hipps he Named for tlie otiice with libertie to the 
Town of Boston to joine Two Persons More 

John- Bcrbill Speaker 
Agreed to & Consented to by Jos: Dodley 
Geniral Courts order for 
Kebuilding the Town House 
in Boston Novem' 1711 
Massachusetts Archives. Book 113. pp. G18 619. 

In the House of Representatives 
NovM)'" 1711. 

Resolved That tne Sum of ffortj- Pounds, be Allowed, out of the publick 
Treasury to il' Benj": Johns, for the use this Court makes of his House, in a 
year, beginning the l""": Octo' last (if they improve it so long) Fifteen 
Pounds thereof to be now drawn out of the Treasury, tlie Remainder as tliis 
C^ourt shall order. 

Sent up for Concurrence. John Burrill Speaker 



Nov' lO'h 1711. 



In Council 

Read and concurred 

Is*: Addington Sectr'y. 



Book 48 p. 420 

Court Records, p. 244. Passed in House of Representatives, read and con- 
curred. 
Nov. 7 1712. 

Ordered th;it it be an Instruction to the Committee appointed to build the 
Province & Court House that tliey fit tlie East Chamber for the Use of His 
Excellency the (Jovernor & the Hon''''^ the Council, the Middle Chamber for 
the House, the West Chamber for tlic Sup' & Inf' Courts. 

Ordered that there be but two offices below stairs in the Province & Court 
House now Building in Boston one for the Secretary tlie other for the Regis- 
ter of Deeds in the County of Suffolk, consented to J. Dudley. 
In the House of Representatives. 

March 21 : 1711. 
Ordered Tliat It be an Instruction to the Committee appointed to Build the 
Court House or Exdiange in Boston, That It be not more than One Hundred 
& twelve, nor lesse than One Hundred & ten ffcet in lengtli. 

Sent up for Concurrence. John Burkill Speaker 

In Council. 
March 21. 1711. p. 425. 

Read and Concurr'd 

Is'^ Addington Secry 

.At a Council held at the Council Chamber in Boston upon Satunlay the 23"l 
of .August 1712. 

The Committee for overseeing the building of the Court & Town House in 
Boston moving for a further supply of money 

Advised & consented Tluit a Warrant he made out to the Treasurer to 
advance & jiay to M' William l':iyne of the said Committee and deputed their 
treasurer the further sum of Five liumlreil )>ounils over and above the Five 
hunilred pounds already drawn for at twice to he imploycd for and about the 
said Building he to be accomptable for the disposal of it accordingly. 

Council Records, 1708 to 1712, page 598. 



130 OLD STATE IIOUSK RE-DEDICATION. 



At a Coiineil helil at the Council Chamber in Boston upon Friday the 15"> 
February 1711. 

The Committee for the rehuildins of tlie Town & Court House in Boston 
now in liand wiili, proposing to liave two hundred pounds advanced towards 
tlie s'' Buildinj^ to be jiut into tlie liands of M' William I'ayne by them 
deputed a 'J'reasurer for ))ayins of the workmen &c. 

Punsuaut to the Grant of tlie Genei-al Assembly, .\dvised & consented 
That a Warrant be made out to the Treasurer to advance and pay the sum of 
Two hundred pounds to the said M'' Payne for tlie use aforesaid upon Ac- 
compt accordingly. Council Records, page 522. 

At a Council held at the Council Chamber in Boston upon Monday, the 
l.s'i' of February 1711. 

.\ii accompt of Disbursements by the Select men of Boston in repairs of 
the late Town House from Se])temb'' 5"' 170'J to the time of its desolation, 
amounting to Eleven pounds two shillings & one penny presented and 

Pursuant to the Act of tiie General Assembly, 

Advised & considered That a Warrant be m.ade out thereupon to the 
Treasurer to pay Five pounds eleven shillings & one penny, 4 being one Iialf 
of the nfores'' Disburse to the Town Treasurer of Boston. 

At a Council htdd at the Council Chamber in Boston ujion Monday the 
29"" of December 1712. 

Present His Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq' GoV 

Elisha Hutchinson W'" Hutchinson Andrew Belcher Peter Sergeant Esq" 
Penn Townsend Esq™ Edw"' Bromficld Esq" Isaac Addingtcm Esq'. 

The Committee for overseeing the building of the Court & Town House in 
Boston moveing for a further suiijily of money for that occasion 

Pursuant to tlie Grant of the General -Assembly. 

Advised & consenled Tliat a Warrant he made out to the Treasurer to ad- 
vance the further sum oT Five hiindreil pounds (over & above One thousand 
pounds already issued by several Draughts) to M' William Payne of the 
said Committee & deputeil their Treasurer to be employed for and upon the 
said Building, He to be acconiptable for the disposal of it accordingly. 

Council Records, page 639. 

At a Council held at the Council Chamber in Bostcm upon Monday the G"" 
of Ajiril 171.-!. 

Pursuant to a Resolve pass'd by the General .Vssembly at their Session in 
March last, that the Trcasir be directed to supply the Treasurer of the Town 
of Boston with the sum of Four hundred & fifty jiounds in the pulilic bills of 
credit to be applyed towards the carrying on & finishing the Town House or 
edifice now in building in Boston, as part of the Town's proportion of that 
charge, he taking gooil & sufficient security for the repaying of the s'' sum 
into the Treasury again on or before the twentyeth d.ay of February next 

Advised & consented That a Warrant be made out to the Treasurer to ad- 
vance & supply to M' .loseph Prout present Treasurer of the Town of Boston 
the aforesaid .sum of Four hundred & fifty pounds in Bills of jiuhlick credit 
for the use aforesaid taking good & suflicicnt security for the repayment of 
the same again accordingly. Council Records, 1712 to 1718, page 21. 

.\t a Council held at the Council Chamber in Boston upon Wednesday 
April 29'i> 1713. 

I'resent His Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq'. Governour &s. 

Pursuant to the vote of the General .Assembly at their Session in October 
1711 for tlie raising of a new edifice within the town of Boston in or near the 
place where the Town House stootl before the desolation tlu'reof by fire for 
Publick Meetings on civil occasions for the use of the Province County & 
Town the charge thereof to be borne the one half by the Province the other 
half by the Town of Boston &. county of Suffolk in equal proportion. 



AITKNDIX IS. 137 



Advised & consented that a Warrant be made to the Treasurer to advance 
& pay M'' William I'ayno of tiie Committee for overseeing the Building of 
the s"' House & deputed to their Treasurer the further sum of Five hundred 
pounds over & ahove what has been already advaneed to hira towards that 
work, he to be aceomptable for the disposal of it accordingly. 

Council Records, 1712 to 1718, p. 32. 

At a Council held at the Council Chamber in Boston upon Wednesday, the 
2L"' of July 1713. 

M' William I'.ayne of the Committee for overseeing the building of the 
Court & Town House in Boston & deputed their Treasurer moving for a further 
supply of money towanls defreying thj charge thereof 

Advised &. eonsenteil That a Warrant be made out to the Treasurer to ad- 
vance & jiay to the s ' William I'ay ne of tlie Committee & Treasurer as aforesaid 
the further sum of Five hundred pounds for that service to be employed on 
& about the Building he to be aceomptable for the disijosal of it accordingly. 

Ibid., page G8. 

August 27, 1713. Accompt presented by M'' W'" Payne of expenses in the 
Council chamber, where liis E.xcelK^ was attended by the Council officers 
civil & military and other Gent and on the Regiment umler tlieir arms .attend- 
ing bis Excellency on tlie 24"' of .Vugust currant at tlie rublieation of the 
I'eace between Her JIajesty & the French King amounting to Fourteen 
pounds & eight shilling. 

Advised & consented to pay tlie above sum. Ibid., p. 8G. 

March 10, 1713. 

Council Advised & consented to pay Mr. William Payne of the Committee 
for overseeing the Building of the Town House in Boston the sum of seventy 
one i)ouuds nine shillings and live pence being the balance remaining due 
from the Province to their part of the charge for building s'^ house according 
to the Ueport of the Committee for auditing the Accompts thereof accepted 
by the General Assembly. 

Ibid., page IGO. 

Town Records. Nov 10, 1711. Vol. 2., p. 333 

Voted. A Concurrence willi the proposalls made by the (!en" Assembly 

.\f^ building a House in or ne^*r the jdace when- tin* (Jld Town House stood. 

for the uses therein Mentioned, with an addition of these words [and all other 

Town affaires J as part of the tises thereof. 

Voted. That Thomas Brattle Escif and m' William Payn be the persons 

nominated & Chosen by this Town to joyn w"' the committee Raised by the 

Gen" Court to maiiage that affair. 

Selectmen's minutes. Anno 1711 : Deccmb'' 10"* p. 25. 

Voted. That Thomas Bratle Esq'', m' Josiah Tay, m" Eliz" Maccarty & 
m'^ Eliz' Powuing shall be taken into Consideration in order to Satisfaction 
for their Houses w^'' were Blown up in order to Stop the progress of the fire 
w'^'' hapened in this Town y= 2' of Octob"' Last. 

p. 2(i. Also .lames Meers. Martha Gwin, Sarah Dynly & Rich"* Proctor, 
for their Houses being blown ui>. 
Thorn' Brattle Esq. allowed Thirty Pounds. 
Isaiah Tay Thirty-five Pounds 

Eliz* Maccarty Sixty " 

Eliz' Powning Thirty five " 

James Meers Twenty five " 

Martha Gwin Twenty five " 

Sarah Dinidy Ten " 

Richard Proctor Ten " 



];5S OLD STATE llOUSli JJE-DEDICATION. 



(From the original, in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical 

Society. ) 

"RELATING TO Y^ TO\VX HOUSE RENTS. READ MARCH 

lO'i'" 1711-12." 

" Whereas the Rents reserved to tlic Town of Boston for several spare 
Rooms in, nnder, anil Adjoyning to the late Town House beside all rooms 
made use of there for I'lililiek Occasions, did according to the Rates they 
were left, or might liavc been Lett at amount to Kighty pounds P' annum. 

And the Great and (ien" (,'ourt of Assembly of this Province haveing lately 
directed. That there be a House built in or neer the place where the Old 
Toivn House stood, for I'ublick meetings on Civill Occasions, For Province 
County and Town, Vi/'. Kor the Meeting of the Gen" Assembly, The holding 
of CouncilKs and ("ourts of Justice and Town .Meetings, the Charge thereof 
to be born the Oni^ lialfe liy the Province, the Other lialfe by the Town of 
Boston and County of Suffolk in Ecjuall i)ri>portion, unto which proposal the 
Inhabitants of Boston have Voted tlieir Concurrance. 

And since there is prospect of as great if not greater improvem" and advan- 
tage by su<h spare room in the s'' new building now to he Erected, it may 
not be unseasonable for the Inhabitants of this Town now to make Sutable 
provision to secure that jjriviledge and benefitt to them selves and their suc- 
cessors. 

And altho other .Vrguments might be of weight for their being so benefitted, 
Yet rattler then forego and lose the same. May it not be adviseable for them 
to agree upon bearing some .Vdditional Charge in y^s'' building as an Equiva- 
lent, That so they may be llureby Effectually Intitulleil to the benefit and 
imi)rovement of all such rooms and spaices in under and adjoyning to the 
s'' New building which shall be conveniently capable of being inclosed and 
Improved for distinct uses, and otherwise not needfull to be made use of for 
those afore mentioned intentions proposed by the Gen" Court, and thereby to 
Lessen the Charge of the Province, Town and County in their respective 
])roportions us aforesaid. The which additionall charge, together with the 
Charge of Incloseing and fitting of sho]iiis iiic. tliere, may (ifthe town sees 
mei't) to very good a<lvaatage to be defrayd out of that their money W" is the 
Effects of Lanils sold anil in Etjuity ought to be so layd out as to raise and 
perpetuate an income to the Town. 

And in case sutable Application be made to the Gen" Court on the behalfe 
of this Town relating to the ])remisies, under the consideration of their Ex- 
cessive growing Charge and Expences, & their so great a loss by the Late Fire 
& that tiie Late Town-House w^'' was built at the C arge of y Inhabitants of 
this Town was for neer fifty years past made use of for all Publick Occasions 
w"'out any other Charge to tlie Public then that for some of the Later years 
they have born ])art of y'' Charge of y- Hepaires. 

And that the Town of Boston being the true and proper Owners of all that 
Land on tr^'' the said New building is now to be erected. It is presumed that 
they will readily agree unto so just and reasonal)le a proposal. 

I'roposed Hv .loseph Prout Read at y" begining of y>" Town meeting y 10"' 
of .March 17li-12. 



AIM'KNDIX C. 139 



APPENDIX C. 



I'APKUS liKLATIN'G TO TlIK KKBUILDING OF THE TOWN 
HOUSE IN 1747. 

In the House of Representatives Dec'' !), 1747. 

OrJered that the Select Men of the Town of Boston be desired to take care 
of the Materials belonging to the late Court House which are preserved from 
the Flames. 

Sent up for concurrence 

T. Hdtchinson Spkr. 

In Council Dec'' 9. 1747 Kead & Concurr'd 

J. WiLLAUD Secy 
Consented to 

W. Shirley 
Massachusetts Archives, Book 49. p. 204 

In the House of Representatives Dec. 9. 1747. 

The House taking into further consideration the awful Providence of God 
this Morninij in the destruction of the Court House and great jiart of the 
pul>lick Records liy Fire. 

Ordered that thc"Speaker Col" Stoddard Col" Heath Col" Choate M' Frost 
Capt Partridge and Col" Otis with such as the Hon'''" Hoard shall .loyn, he a 
Committee to Consider and Report what is necessary to he done by the Court 
at this .Juncture. 

Sent up for concurrence 

T. HiJTCHiNSo.N Spkr 

In Council Dec 9. 1747. Read & Concurred, 
& Josiah 'Willanl, Sam' Walley, John Cushing, John Quincy, John Chandler 
& And" Oliver Esij" are joined in y" Affair 

J. Wir-r.ARi) Secy. 
Hook 49. p. 205. 
Committee to provide boards for 
the Court House Walls 
Dec. 10 1747. 
Entered 
In the House of Representatives Dec'. 11, 1747. 

Ordered that M'' Frost with such as the Hon'''" Ho.ird shall Joyne be directed 
to Contract for sixty thousand feet of Hoards forty thousand of them Mer- 
chantable and twenty thousand clear fur the Service of tlie Province and 

Also three thousand feet of one Inch and half clear Stuff and three thousand 
feet of Stuff for Window Frames 

Sent up for concurrence 

T. Hutchinson Spkr. 

In Council December 11"' 1747. Read and Concurr'd and John Hill Esq' 
is Joyned in the Affair 

J. Wii.LAKU Secry 
Hook 49. p. 20G. Consented to W. Smiui.i;v. 



140 OLD STATK IIOrSE RK-DKniOATION. 



In tlic House of Rcprosontativos Hec'' 11"' 1747 

Ordered that tlie Select Men (if Boston be desired and impowered to Secure 
the Walls of the late Court House from the ineonvenienees of the Weather by 
Causing the same to be covered with Boards in the best and cheapest manner 

Sent up for concurrence 

T. Hltciiinson Spkr 
In Council Dec' II 1717 liead and Concurr'd 

J. WiLLARD Sscry. 

Book 49. p. 207. 
In the House of Representatives March 3, 1747 

Ordered that Col" Hale Col" Otis M' Boardman M'' Fore and M'' Hub- 
hard with such as the Hon''' Board sliall appoint be a Committee to Consider 
and Report a proper place in the Town of Boston for building a New Court 
House 

Sent up for concurrence 

T. Hutchinson Spkr. 
In Council March 3, 1747. 

Read & Concur'd ,\nd Jacob Wendell, Samuel Danforth, Sam' Watts, John 
Chandler, & Ezekiel Chever Esq", are joined in the Affair 

J. WiLi-ARD Secry 

Book i'J. p. 510 
In the Honsc of Representatives 9 March 1747 

Voted that the late (Jourt House in tlie Town of Boston be Repaired as soon 
as conveniently may be & that one half the Charge tliereof be borne by the 
Province the otlier half by the County of Suff(dk & the Town of Boston 

Sent up for concurrence 

T. Hi TcHi-Nsos Spkr. 
In Council, March 9, 1747 ; Read & Concur'd, 

.1. Wii,i-ARD Secry 
Consented to 

W. SlIIRLKY 

Book 49, p. 211 

In the House of Representatives March 11, 1747. 

Whereas it has been determined by this Court that the late Court House 
should be repaired, and that one half the Charge should be born by the Coun- 
ty of .Suffolk and the Town of Boston, but the proportion between the Coun y 
and Town is not settled by said vote. 

Resolved that one quarter part of the Charge of repairing s'l House be born 
by the said County, and one <|uarter part by said Town. .Vlso voted that M"^ 
Speaker M"^ Hubbard and M' Allen with such as the llon'''^' Board shall Joyn 
be a Comm<'« to Purchase and Procure proper Materials to EtTeet the repair of 
said House agreeable to the vote of the 10"' Ciirr'. .Vlso to Prepare a Plan of 
the Inside Work that the room may be so dispos'd as will be most beneficial 
to the Province County and Town. And that they Lay the same before this 
Court, with an Estimate of the Charge at their next sitting 

Sent up for concurrence 

T. Hutchinson Spkr. 

In Council; Mar. 10. 1747; Read & Concur'd & Jacob Wendell & .\ndrew 
Olliver Esq'", arc Joined in the Affair 

.1. Wii.i.Aiii) Secry. 
Consented to, 

W. Smui.KY 

Book 49. 212, 313. 

The Committee appointed the 11 Ins' to procure Materials to effect the Re- 
pairs of the Court House & to prepare a Plan & make an Estimate of the 
Charge, have divers times met & consulted Workmen thereupon: and beg 
leave to report 



AITEXDIX C. . 141 



T'h.it m obcilienco to the order of the Hon'"'" General Court, they have 
taken measures for procuring tlie Lumber needful tor this purpose & have 
actually agreed for a great part of it. 

The Committee herewilli present a Wan of the inside Work, which tliey 
apprehend will be the most eoininodious & best answer the design of the 
Building; and \ipc)U the best information they can ol)Iain they judge that the 
said Kepairs will amount to Eighteen thousand One hundred & four Pounds 
old ten' as by the Estimate herewith, all which is humbly submitted. 

Jacou Wendell by order 
March 31 : 1748 

In Council April 7. 1747. Read & sent down. 
In the House of Kepresentatives 12"' .Vpril 1748 

Read and Ordered that the Committee be ilirected to Proceed & cause the 
Court House to be rebuilt agreeable to the Plan laid before the Court with 
this Report. 

Sent up for concurrence 

T. Hutchinson Spkr 
In Council April 13, 1748; Read & Concur'd 

.1. Wii.r..\RD Secry. 
Consented to 

\V. Shiuley. 

Book 40. pp. 214, 2iri. 
In the House of Representatives April 8. 1848 

Voted that the Treasurer be directed to Pay into the hands of the Com- 
mittee for purchasing .Materials for building a Court House the Sum of One 
hundred pounds out of the Appropriation for payment of matters & things for 
which there is no Establishment. The said Conmi'''' to be accountable 

Sent up for <?oncurrence 

T. Hutchinson, Spkr. 
In Council April O"". 1748. Read & Concur'd 

J. WiLLAitD Secry. 
Consented to 

AV SlIIKLEY. 

Book 49. p. 2ir, 

In the House of Representatives June 15 1748 

Voted that the Committee app'"' to take care of the rebuilding the Court 
House be allowed to receive out ot the pulilick Treasury the Sum of fifteen 
hundred pounds to Enable them to Proceed in that affair. The said Com- 
mittee to be accountable. 

Sent up for concurrence 

T Hutchinson Spkr 
In Council June 15 1748 Read and Concurr'd 

J. \\''ii,LAiii> Secry. 
Consented to 

W. Siiim.LV. 

Book 49. p. 228. 

In the House of Representatives Nov 22, 1748. 

Ordered that the Sum of fifteen Hundred pounds be paid out of the Treasurv 
into the hands of the Comm'" app"'' to take care of the repairs of the Town 
House &c. They to be accountable 

Sent up for concurrence 

T. Hutchinson S|>kr. 
In Council Nov'. 22. 1748 Read & Concur'd 

J. WiLLAUD Secry. 
Consented to 

W. Shirley. 

Book 49. p. 238 



1 12 l>I,I) STATK norSK )!K-r>El)ICATION. 

To 'Pile Hon'''" • Spencer Pliips Esq' : Leiv' Govcrnour and romnianiler in 
clRif in anil over his Majesty's Province of tlie Massacliiisetts Hay in New Entr- 
lanil, To the Hon" liis Majesty's (.'ouncil, and to the Honli' tlie House of 
IJoprcsentatives in General Court Assembled, 

The I'etition of Abigail llalyburton of Uoston Widow, humbly sheweth. 
That in the year 1747 when the Court House was consumed by Fire, his 
Majesty's Council took a Uoom in the House she had hired of Madam Stod- 
dard, for which she did not intend to trouble your Honour and tliis Hon''''' 
Court about, but on her Settlini; lier Accounts of Rent with said Mad'" Stod- 
dard lately she had obliged her to ])ay Tliirty four Tonnils old Tenor for the 
Rent of that House, when she had no other luiprovement for it than for his 
Majesty's Council to sit in as aforesaid, your Memorialist begs leave further to 
represent, that at the same Time at Co\" Pollard's request she was at about 
Eifrht Pounds old Tenor costs for I'^orms for the Council Use, and she h:xs 
had no Allowance for either Forms, or Uents tliereforeshe prays your Honours 
to take the Premises into consideration & make Iiersuch Allowance as you in 
your great Wisdom shall think proper and as in Duty bound shall ever 
pray 

AlilGAILI, HaM-YBUKTON 

Book i'J. p. 2(;2. 
In the House of Representatives Jan>' 10 1749 

Head and Ordered that the Prayer of the Pet'"' be so far {granted as tliat the 
Pef be allowed out of the publiek Treasury the Sum of three j)ounds in full' 
for the Use of h<r House which was improved in the Service of the Province 
when the late Court House was Consumed by fire. 

Sent up for concurrence 

J. DwiGHT Spkr. 

In Council Jan. 10. 1749 Read and Concur'd 

J. WiLLAKD Secry 
Consented to 

S. Phips. 

p. 263. 
In the House of Representatives. Jan>'. 2C, 1749 

Ordered that the Treasurer be directed to deliver the Committee appointed 
to take care of the repairs [of] the Townhouse &v. the Sum of One thousand 
pounds Lawful Money to be by them paid to the workmen &c Who have per- 
form'd that Service 

The said Comm''' to be accountable for their doings to this Court. 
Sent up for concurrence 

Tho' Hubbard Spkr 2'ro Tempore 



In Council .Ian. 2G, 1749; Read & Concur'd 
Consented to 



J. WiLi.ARD Secry. 

S. Puirs 
Book 49, p. 2fi4. 



In the House of Representatives Marcli .'il I'SO 

Onlered that the Committee apjiointed to take care of the Repairs of the 
Court House be directed to lay their Accounts upon the Table as soon as may 
be 

Sent up for concurrence 

Tiio" Hi'nnAUi), Sjikr /)>-o Tempas. 

In Council Marcli 31 1750 

Read and Concurred .Sami. Hoi.hhook Dep'>' Secry 

Consented to 

S. Piiii-s. p. 26G. 

I .Am It took nitntit eleven pounds uld tuuur lu in:ikc ouu pound stcrlloKi the Couucll j>robubly 

).:il<l III full. — W. II. W. 



ArPKXDix c. 143 

In the Iloiise of Represi>nt;itivc9 April 10, 1750 

Ordered tliat the Sum of .Sixty Six pounds thirteen shillings and four jn'mre 
be allowed & p'' out of the |)ul)lick Treasury to the Committee for repairiuf; 
the Town llouse'&e in consideration of their thne & trouble in takinsj eare of 
said Repairs &c. to lie equally proportiond amiinft them. 
Sent up for eoneurrenee 

T IIuBB.iRD .Spkr^jro Tempore 
In Council .\pril 10. 1750 Read & Coneur'd 

Saml Holbkook Dy Secry 
Consented to 

S. Phips 
Book 49. p. 277. 

At a Great & General Court or Assembly for his Majesty's Province of tlie 
Massachusetts B.ay in New England, began Shehl at lioston upon Wednesday 
thirtieth day of May 17.")0, being called by liis Majesty's Writts. 

Friday Ueto'. 5. 1750 

In the House of Repres"". Whereas tlie Charge of building the Town 
House in Boston was by the General Court ordered to be paid, one half by 
the Province, one quarter part thereof by the Town of Boston & the other 
quarter part thereof by the County of Suffolk, & it lias been resolveil by tlu^ 
lieneral Court that the said Town & County shall pay the same proportion in 
the late Repairs thereof, tlie whole Charge of which Repairs amounts to 
thirtyseven hundred & five pound eleven shillings & four pence Lawful 
money; 

Wherefore Ordered that the Town of Boston .aforesaid p.ay into the 
Province Treasury Nino hundred twenty six pounds seven shillings & ten 
pence, being one quarter part of the Charge of said Repairs; And the 
Province Treasurer is hereliy ordered & directed to jiroportion the Sum of 
Nine hundred & twenty six pounds seven shillings & ten pence, to and among 
the Towns in the County of Surtolk, according to the Proiiortion which eacli 
Town in saiil County bore, one to the otiier, in the last Province Tax ; .\nd 
the Treasurer is further Ordered to give out his Warrants to the Assessors of 
the Town of Boston for the year 1750 requiring them to Assess the Sum of 
Nine hundred twenty six jiounds seven shillings & ten pence on the I'olls & 
Estates in the said Town of Boston, aeconling to the Direction of the Last 
Province Tax Act, & also to give out his Warrants to the Assessors of the 
several Towns in said C'ounty of Sutfnlk, requiring lliem to assess on INdls it 
Estates in their respective Towns their jjroiKjrtioiiable Parts of the said sum 
of Nine hundred & twenty six pounds seven shillings & ten j>ence by the 
same Rule aforesaid : And the saicl Treasurer & the Assessors .aforesaid, and the 
Collectors and Constables to whom the Assessment for the Tax aforesaid 
shall be eonimitted, he & hereby are fully impowered & directed to act in their 
respective offices forthe enforcing the Payment of said sums into the Province 
Treasury on or before the last day of March next, in all respects, as l)y the 
Eaw of this jirovince, said Officers are impowered to do for the enforcing the 
Payments of Province Taxes. 

In ('ouneil ; Read & Non Coneur'd 

A true Copy as of Record 

Attest' Saml Holbhook D Secry. 
Book 40. p. -l^i. 

Dee. 0. 1747. In the House of Representatives, 

Ordered that M' Frost, t^.ap'. I'artridge & Col". Otis with such as the 
Hon'"'''. Board shall appoint be a Committee to in<iuire after & secure any 
Books Records & Papers that may have been preserved from the Flames, 
which consumed the Court House this morning. 

In Council Read & Concur'il ; and .Josiab Willard, .Samuel Welles & Andrew 
Oliver Esq" are joined in the Affair. Court Records [i. 273, 274. 



]44 OLD STATE IIOUSK KK-DEUICATIOX. 



In the House of Representatives. Ordered that the Select men of Boston 
be desired & impowered to secure the Walls of the late Court House from 
the Inconveniences of the Weather by cau^in;; theni to be covered with 
Boards in the best & cheapest manner. In Council, Head i Concur'd. Con- 
sented to bv the Governour. 

p: 278 

March 2, 1747. [t'.e., 1747-48.] 

His Excellency sent the following Message to the House by the Secretary, 
viz^ 

(ientlcmen of the House of Hepresentatives 

.At the beginning of this Session I recommended to you the making Provi- 
sion for a Court House, I wis in hopes the Inconvenience you suffer in your 
present Situation would have jirompted you to have given l)isi)atch to this 
Affair, but perceiving it is still delayed, I must desire you to resunu' the Con- 
sideration, lest the General Court shou'd be put to the same Difficulties an- 
other Winter. 

II. :iO.-.. 

April 13, 1748. .Taeob Wendell Esq'', from the Committee appointed to 
take Care of the rebuilding of the Court House gave in the following Report, 
viz'. 

The Committee appointed the 10"^ of March last to procure Materials to 
effect the Repairs of the Court House, & to jirepare a Plan, & make an Estimate 
of the Charge have divers times met & consultid Work men there upon & lieg 
Leave to Keport, —That in Obedience to the Order of the Hon''''^. General 
Court they have taken iMeasures for procuring the Lumber needful for this 
Pur))Ose, & have actually agreed for a great jiart of it. 

The Committee herewith present a Plan of the Inside Work which they 
apprehend will be the most commodious, & best answer the Design of the 
Building; .And upon the best Information they can obtain they .ludge that 
the said Repairs will .Vmonnt to Eighteen tliousand, one hundred vt four 
Pounds old Tenor, as by the Estimate herewith. 

March 31, 1748 

All which is respectfully submitted 

Jacou Wendkli. 

p' order 

In the House of Representatives. Read & Ordered Ih.it the Conmiitlee be 
directed to proceed, &. cause the Court House to be rebuilt, agreeable to the 
Plan laid before the Court with this Report. 
In (Council ; Read & (^oncur'il 

Consented to by the Governo''. 

Court Records, p. 330. 

April 23 1748. In the House of Representatives. 

Voted that the Treasurer be directed to pay into the hands of the Com- 
mittee for rebuilding the late Court House, the .Sum of Kive Hundred Pounds, 
such sum to be taken of the .Appropriation where there is no Establishment; 
The said Comm'"''. to be Acconiptable. 

In Council ; Read & Concur'd. Consented to by the Governour. 

II. 34.-) 

.April 20, 1749. In the House of Representatives. Ordered that the Sum 
of Twelve Hundred & fifty Pounds lie paiil out of the IHiblick Treasury lo 
the Committee appointed to effect the Repairs of the Court House in Boston, 
rhe said Committi'C to be accountable. 
In Council ; Read & Concurd 

Consented to by the Governour 

p. 477. 



APPENDIX 1). 145 



April 25, 1751. In the House of Kepresentatires : 

Whereas the Charge of building the Town House in Boston was by the 
General Court ordered to be paid one lialt'by tlie I'rovinee, one Quarter part 
thereof by the Town of Boston, and the otlier Quarter part thereof by the 
County of Suffolk, And it has been Hesolved by the General Court that the 
said Town & County shall pay tlie same Proportion in the late Repairs thereof: 
The whole Cliarge of which Kepairs amounts to thirty seven hundred five 
Pounds eleven shillings & four peuee Lawful! Money : Wherefore 

Ordered that tlie Town of Boston aforesaid pay into the Province Treas- 
ury nine hundred twenty six J'ounds seven shillings & ten |ience beeing 
One Quarter part of the Charge of Said Kepairs, And that the County of 
Suffolk pay into the Province Treasury Nine himdred Twenty six I'ounds 
seven shiUings &tenpence being also one Quarter part of the Charge of said 
Kepairs, and the Province Treasurer is hereby Ordered & directed to propor- 
tion the Sura of Nine hundred twenty six Pounds seven shillings & ten pence 
to & among tlie Towns in the County of Suffolk, according to the Proportion, 
which each Town in said Cminty bears one to another in the present vahiation. 

And the Treasurer is further ordered to give bis Warrants to the Assessors 
of tlie Town of Boston, for the year 1750, requiring them to assess the Sum 
of Nine hundred twenty six Pounds eleven shillings & Ten pence on the Polls 
& Estates in the said Town of Boston, according to the Direction in the present 
Valuiition, and also to give out his Warrants to the Assessors of the several 
Towns in said County of Suffolk, recjuiring them to assess on Polls & Estates 
in their respective Towns their iimiiortionable part of s'' Sum of Nino hun- 
dred twenty six Poumls seven shillings & ten pence by the same liule afore- 
said. And the said Treasurer & the assessors aforesaid & the Collectors & 
Constables, to whom the Assessment for the Tax aforesaid shall be committed 
be & hereby are fully im|iowered& directed to act in their respective Offices, 
for the Enforcing the Payment of said Sums into the Province Treasury on or 
before the last day of March next in all Respects as by the Law of this 
Province said Officers are impowered to do for enforcing the Payment of 
Province Taxes. 

In Council Read & Concur'd Consented to by the Lieu' Govern'. 

page 337. 



APPENDIX D. 



THE LION AND THE UNICORN. 

(See ante, ]>. (>.").) 

Tn delivering this address, reference was made to the I^ion and 
Unicorn, whicli adorned the eastern front of the buildiiio;, a.s 
" Royal Arms," and the words were retained, though not techni- 
cally correct. Correctly speakinp;, there are no arms shown on the 
building ; the two wooden figures being only the supporters of a 
shield whoso outline only is indicated. The first (luestion to eon- 



146 



OLD STATE HOUSK RE-DEDICATION. 



sidcr in deciding what this shield would natumlly be, is, '■ Does 
the use of the Lion :ind Unicorn, as supporters, necessarily imply 
the presence of the arms of Great Britain, or of the ruling fam- 
ily?" The answer must be in the negative. For example, good 
authorities state that the Dukes of Northumberland long used 
these supporters. The fact more to the point is, that they were 
often used in connection with the arms of vaiions colonies. In 
September, 1080, King James II. granted to the Xew P^ugland 
Colonies, then governed by Andros, a great seal, both sides of 
which are shown in the annexed engravings. 




In the fiijlowiiig ye;ir King .lames sxrantod a seal to New York, 
one side lie:iiing the IJoyal Arms. Willi thi' (iailer Crown Support- 
ers :ind .Mi)tl.>. with tlie inseiiption, " Sigilhim rroviiieia- Nostra- 
Novi Islioiaei, et<'.. in .\meriea.'" ( llistoiieal Mag., .\pril. ISC.-i.) 
It is lielieved that .similar grants wire niadi' to oilier eolonii s. es- 
pecially to New I(ani|)shire. 

I'nder llie Seeoiid CliMiler of Massnchusetts a change w;is neces- 
sary, as that provided for a •• [luliliiple seal to he aiipointed by tiie 



ArrENDIX D. 



147 



Crown." The followiii<; engravings sliow the two difrerent forms 
which this seal assunu'd from A.l). 1002 to the lievohiliou : — 




mm 




It lias not seemed wortli while to push this inqniry as to the 
exact dates of the first and last nse of each form ; but Mr. Thomas 
C. Amorj', iu a eareiui essay printed in the Proceedings of the 
JIassaeliusetts Historical Society for December, 18G7, tiiinks that 
tiie second form cami; into nse abonl Sei)tuml)ei', 172S, when the 
8ui)plemental Charier of George I. came into efTect. At the ac- 
cession of George III. the seal was changed in respect to his 
name, bnt not otherwise. Of course this seal ceased to be used 
at the Revolution. 

It will be seen, however, that for some iifty years the seal of 
Massaehu-setts was a shield of the Koyal Arms, with (he T.,i()n and 
Unicorn for snpi)orters, and an inscriijlion denoting that they 
were used for and in behalf of the Province. In the interesting 
painter's bill, printed {ante, p. G4), it appears that within the 
building were carved representations of the Colony Arms as dis- 
tinct from the King's Arms. Although no specimen is now known 
of these Colony Arms, it cannot be doubted that they were the 
same as those on the Great Seal. 



14S OLD STATE HOUSE HE-DEDICATION. 

It is, thcri'forn, .it least as i)rol):il)lo lliai llieso siipportors would 
inipl}' the Proviiiee coat-of-arms, as the Royal Arms. But in 
reality there w.-is no distinction between tlieui, and it would soein 
to be an unnecessary stretch of fane_y to insist u|)on seeini; in 
tlu'sc inoironsive wooden images a rcinindcr of ISrilisli rule, rather 
tli:ia of tlic glorious Provincial (!(ncniHicMt, lliat prccnrsor and 
creator of our later free State. 

So long as tiie emblems have at least an equal claim to be 
viewed as Provincial insignia, and especially ns it would be impos- 
sible to use any other luTaldic ornaments t(j denote that period, 
there seem to be sound grounds for us to retain these figures. 

As to their removal by our forefathers, it is necessary to say 
only that, at that date, such an act had a meaning. It was the 
visible token of the revolt against royalty, and was, therefore, 
right and |)iiiper. P.ut now that republicanism is established, and 
tlic continuance of royalty even in Kurope is so problematical, no 
one can fear the result of showing to the world this evidence of 
our former condition. The loyalty of our people to their chosen 
form of governmiMit does not depend upon any falsification of 
history. Tlic I. ion and tlic I iiicorn were the jiroperty of our an- 
cestors in this country, and \vi' have the right to use them in any 
place where their presence is instructive. 

The date of the removal of these figures has not been definitely 
ascertained. The note on p. 0.'5 makes it probable that thev did 
not rem;iin later tliaii .Inly b^, ITTG; but, as the American troops 
occupied the town four months earlier, the change may have taken 
place before this. The dc^struetion of royalist emblems was not 
so extensive as the newspaper asserts, since the King's Arms were 
removed from the C'ouncil C'handier by loyalists, and sent to 
St. John, N.15., where they ik)W decorate a church ; and the 
similar carving fimii the Province House is now in tlu' possession 
of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and is, temporarily, 
placed on exhibition in the Old State House. 




' / --lis T'A'.; 



'■ 









i 










-SB 






APPENDIX K. 145) 



APPEXDIX E. 



FANEUIL HALL. 

As Faneuil Hall has been so intimately connected with the his- 
tory of Boston, it seems proi)er to insert a short account of the 
huililing. and especially to point out the changes which it has ex- 
perienced, as the comparison with the Old State House, on tiie 
point of genuineness, will not be to the discredit of the latter. 

As is well-Iiiiown, Peter Faneuil, in 1740, offered to Iniild and 
present to the town a market-house. On July 17th, at a town 
meeting, a vote of thanks for the offer was unanimously passed, 
but the acceptance was carried only by a majority of seven votes 
in a total of 727, so wedded were our ancestors to their old ways 
of marketing. 

Sept. 10, 1742, Mr. Samuel Ruggles, who was employed in 
building the market-house, delivered over the kej' to the select- 
men, and on the 13th a town meeting was held. On motion of 
John Jeffries, Rsq., the following vote was passed : — 

" Whereas, iuformation was given to this town at their meeting 
in July, 1740, that Peter Faneuil, Esq., had been generously 
pleased to offer at his own proper cost and charge, to erect and 
build a noble and complete structure or edifice, to be improved for 
a market, for the sole use, l)eniifit and advantage of the Town, 
provided the town of Boston would pass a vote for that purpose, 
and lay the same under such regulations as shall be thought nec- 
essary, and constantly support it for the said use. 

" And, whereas, at the said meeting it was determined to accept 
of the offer or proiiosal aforesaid ; and also voted that the select- 
men should be desired to wait u|)on Peter Faneuil, Esq., and to 



150 OLD STATE IIOUSK RE-DEDICATION. 

present the tli.'iiiks of the Town lo liiiii, .niicl also lo aeqiiaiiit liira 
that tlie town liavc liy tlioir voti^ coiik! to a resolution to accept 
of his generous offer of erecting a niarki't-liouse on Dock square, 
according to his proposal. 

" And, whereas, Peter Faneuil, Esq., has in pursuance thereof, at 
a very great expense, erected a uolile structure far exceeding his 
(irst proposal, iuasniueh as it contains not only a lariz;e and sulli- 
cient accoinmodation for a Market place, but has also superadded 
a spacious and most beautiful Town Hall over it, and several other 
convenient rooms wliich nuvy prove very beneficial to the town for 
offices, or otherwise; and tiie said building being now finished, 
has delivered i)ossession thereof to the Selectmen, for the use of 
the town. It is, therefore, 

" Voted, that the town do with the utmost gratitude, receive and 
accept this most generous and noble benefaction, for tlie uses and 
intentions they are designed for ; and do appoint the Hon. Thomas 
Gushing, Esq., the Moderator of tliis meeting, the Hon. Adam 
Wintlirop, lulward Hutchinson, Ezekiel Lewis, Samuel Waldo, 
Thomas Hutehinson, Esquires ; the Selectmen and Representatives 
of the town of Boston, with the Hon. Jacol) Wendell, James 
Uowdoin, Andrew Oliver, Capt. Natiianiel Cunningham, Peter 
Chardon, and Charles Apthorp, Esquires, to wait on Peter Fan- 
euil, Esq., in the name of the Town, to render him their most 
hearty thanks for so bountiful a gift ; with their prayers that 
this and other expressions of his bounty and charity may be 
abundantlj' recompensed with tiie divine blessing." 

" It was then voted unanimously that, in testimony of the Town's 
gratitude to the said Peter Faneuil, Esip, and to perpetuate his 
memory, the Hall over the market place be named Faneuil Hall, 
U) be at all times hereafter called and known b^- that name. 

" As a further testimony of respect it was voted that Mr. Fan- 
euil's picture ln' drawn at full length at the expense of the '.own, 
and placed in the Hall, and the Selectmen were charged with the 



Arri:.\i)ix e. 151 

commission, which was accordingly cxccutecl. " (Snow's Hist, of 
Boston, p. 234.) March 1-4, 1714, the town voted to purchase the 
Fancuil arms, elegantly carved and gilt, by Moses Deshon, to be 
fixed in the I lull. 

On Tuesday, January l.'i, 1701, during a spell of extremely 
cold weather, a fire lirokc out in one of the sliops opposite the 
north side of Faneiiil Ilall, and consumed the row of wooden 
buildings there. The fire "communicated itself to that stately 
edifice, Faneuil Hall .Market, the wiude of which was entirely eon- 
sunu'd, except the brick walls, w'hich are left stantling." The 
"records and papers, with such other things as could be con- 
veniently removed, were mostly saved." The first meeting at 
Faneuil Hall after it was repaired was on March 14, 1763, 
when James Otis, Jr., delivered an address. Some slight alter- 
ations were made in some i)arts of the work, but the size of 
the building remained the same. (Snow's Hist., p. 247.) 

The two views here given, one from the Massachusetts Maga- 
zine for March, 178!), and the other, from Snow's History in 182(5, 
show the Revolutionary huildiug and tlic present one. The white 
lines in Snow's view indicate the proportion of old material in Um 
existing Hall. In 180.") the eulargement was made donl)ling the 
width of the building and adding a third story. The first Hall 
was calculated to hold one thousand [lersons, but, as wc have 
noted licfore. whi'Ucvcr a laigc town meeting was held it adjonined 
to the ( )ld South Clmrcii for adilitional room. 



152 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 



APPEXDIX F. 



CiTv Hall, Uoston, Oct. 1, 1882. 
Alderman William AVddllev, Cliairman of the Committee in 
charge of the liestorutioti of the Old State House: — 

Deau .Sik, — In the rceonstnictioii and restoration of auy 
strucluie it will lie understood that tiie result must largely 
depend upon the kimwleditc! at hand of its original eliaracter. 

In the case of th(^ Old State House, to ascertain this was not 
altogether an easy task, Imt with the aid of iMi-. W. II. AVhil- 
niore, an active ineniher of ymu' ennuniltee, and who was en- 
tirely familiar with its early liistory, nuich of the dilliculty was 
overcome in the start. The following is an authentic statement 
<jf the evidences whicii were fuund of tiic original coudition of tiie 
old building, antl which have deteiiniiuil tin' work of restora- 
tion. 

In (irder to ascertain if theic were any hidden traces left of 
the original interior, a careful car|iejiter was fii-st employed to 
make a thorough examination ; this work was carried on for 
more than four weeks, under the immediate observation of Mr. 
AVhitmore and myself; scvtu'al important indications were thus 
brought to light ; in fact, the e.xact location of all the original 
partitions of tiie second story was dcterniini-d : upon removing 
the plastering, thi' outline of the original p.-irtition caps was 
found, which had lieeu cut in between the old fiUTiiigs. Also, 
corresporuling indications were found upon the oUI under-lloors, 




Plan of /Second Floor 

fihoniiiff CirfTtif^tr Sfairfaj^ JfalJ. r/./ul tJij^ fim.r , ^nt^ Jtfioni^ 
fr.f//oi.///htff^ aJ-fto rr/t rr.yr'ti f:t./i.^. ni. fl<it/^'r/ /*ii/ut /Jiff orij/i nr//- OnJe 

T/ifT dirr/erx A. Ji C D nrrrr /u//tf/ fronh t/ir Tt< Bca ws of f7ie 
Ji'oof^ 7Vtij!xnf r'n iJir Thi.rfl /'/oor fnf /out / in^M gqt/arf^ ror/jt tih 
Thtf/t^rtifinvjt rt^i tAf /ior,n/a C. t\ d. A 



APPENDIX F. 1 



;j.> 



which, by the waj-, had been covered at different pericKls by two, 
and in some places by three, upper or finish-floors. These in- 
dications upon the original under-floors also gave me the posi- 
tion of all the doors, their tliresholds being clearly defined l)y 
openings directly through the under floor, as in the case of 
thresholds in old buildings of that date. 

But the most important development of all was the opening 
up of the original framing in the second floor around the 
circular staircase, as represented in the accompanying diagram. 
There was one mysterious circumstance in connection with 
this framing, — the centre of the circular gallery of the 
staircase was found to be one foot from the centre of the 
circular hall surrounding it, when they would both be natu- 
rallj' drawn from one centre. This was explained, however, in 
good time, by the fortunate discovery of the original plans of 
tlie building, they having been found In' Mr. Whitmore' at Cin- 
cinnati ; the reason of the difference in the two centres was at 
once apparent, it having been purposely arranged to equalize a 

* I sincerely regret that Mr. Clouijh, writing .it a time when there was no controversy, 
used a phrase capahle of misconstruction. The pians mentioned were those used hy Isaiah 
Kogers, the architect of the renovation of the buiidins in 1830. They were found in the 
possession of his family, and are of the greatest interest and value as being the only i)lan8 
known to exist which show the state of the building then. Xo earlier plan has yet been 
found. 

The discussion of the meaning of the plans will be found in a later appcndis. In the 
meantime the reader will note that the report of Mr. Clough, brings out much new testimony 
as to the original shape of the rooms. 

A great deal of adverse criticism has been wasted on the question of authority for the 
present restoration. Words and phrases have been distorted, as if a printed statement, taken 
without regard to its context, must be beyond suspicion of error, and incapable of correction. 
Such criticisms may be highly entertaining as intellectual exercises; but they become worth- 
less when only the truth is sought. In the present case, Mr. Clough, an architect of 
acknowledged skill, had an opportunity which his critics lacked, to see and examine the 
framework of this building, stripped from modern additions, and before it was again covered 
by new finish. Ills opinion is given in plain language, and is to be considered, as a whole, 
from a careful study of all the evidence before him. 

After the opinion of an ex pert has been thus obtained, based upon the careful examination 
of walls, floors, timbers, and window-spaces as they exist, no adverse criticism founded on 
the critic's interpretation of scraps gleaned from uole-books will bo of any importance. 

■«'. II. AV. 



^^)L OLD STATK HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

certain iimoiint of room gained through a peculiar manner of 
tt^rminating tlie staircase on the second-floor landing. 

The plan of the interior having been determined, and the 
nature of the accommodations, next came the treatment of finish, 
and the character of the architecture. Sketches and a careful 
stud}' were at once made of all tlie buildings erected in this 
vicinity-, of ■al)out the date of the Old State House ; among them, 
several dwellings at the North End, Christ Church, Hancock 
House, King's Chapel, Royall House at Medford, the Gov. 
Shirley- House at Roxbur}-, several public and private buildings 
at Salem, Newburyport, and Portsmouth were earefullj- exam- 
ined. With these studies and the several wood-cuts and litho- 
graphic plates of the old building itself, dating from the days of 
Paul Revere down (he having made the first engraving), together 
with existing pieces of wood mouldings found about the interior, 
such as pieces of cornices, bases of the pilasters, pieces of old 
wood mantles, and wood wainscoting connecting with the same, 
besides the position of all the old wood grounds upou the brick 
walls, giving the heights of the cornices, wainscoting, etc., a 
very definite idea was formed of the treatment of the interior 
wood finish ; also much of the new work that was required about 
the (!xterior, including the balcony at the State-street end and 
the restoration of the Washington-street door. 

In restoring the wiudovvs of the building the number of panes 
of glass in each window was determined by an oil painting, made 
about A.D. 1805, which is in the possession of the Massachusetts 
Historical Society.' The muntiiis of Ihe sashes are different 
from tiiose found in any other building of that period, and are 
a reproduction from the window of the second story, opening 
upon the balcony at the State-street end. Although the use of 

' The engraving of this picture will be fouiul ante, p. 101. 



Al'PKNDIX F. 1. ■"».") 

this peculi:ir lliiii iiuiiititi cxciU'il a great deal of criticism in 
the public press, it was uot decided upou finally, until after 
a careful examination of this window had been made by many 
leading architects and builders, especially those who had given 
attention to this colonial style, and it had been definitely deter- 
mined that this was the original window. In fact, but little 
doubt of its original character could exist, since the frame of 
this window, like all the other windows about the building, 
was built solid into the walls and extending back of the same, 
on the two sides and across the top, at least four inches ; the 
window and side lights were glazed with crown glass, which 
has uot been in use for the last eighty years ; the hinges were 
of wrought iron, secured with wrought nails, and the fastening 
was by an old brass latch with egg-shaped handles each 
side. 

The work of restoring the exterior was not of a difficult 
nature, the brick moulded belt courses were easily continued 
where they had been removed, and the walls of the first story 
of the Washington aud State street ends, which had been taken 
away for modern improvement, to fit the building for business 
purposes, were easily replaced with window openings like tliose 
above. 

The main cornice was found in a good state of preservation, 
as also were the ten trusses supporting the roof, which, of 
course, determined the original outline ; these trusses were framed 
with a king post, and wore constructed of oak-hewn timber, the 
principal rafters being in double sections, the under section of 
a natural curve ; the tic-beams of the trusses were about four- 
teen inches square and formed tiie sleepers or girders for the 
support of the third floor. 

All of the roof above the cornice to the height of eight feet, 
between the trusses, had been removed ; but above that height. 



l.^G OLD STATF, HOUSE UE-DKDICATION. 

forming the apex, the original boarding and jack-rafters were 
found in good condition. 

New dormer windows were placed between the trusses, the 
number, position, and proportions being ascertained from the 
several wood-cuts ; also the five chimneys on each side, which 
were found to be of modern construction, were removed. 

The tower was discovered in a neglected and very unsafe con- 
dition ; several of the bed-phites which formerly received the 
posts having been removed in the course of adapting the third 
story to business purposes, while others had been completely 
burned off ; and in tiiose alterations the only support left for 
the tower was upon the head of two ])hink partitions. From 
the decayed condition of the wood finish of the exterior of the 
tower it was found necessary to remove all of the sash, two 
thirds of the pilasters, pedestals, balustrades, and carved fiuials, 
and replace the same by new work ; the copper work of the 
roof and tlie old vane and lightning-rod were found in a very 
passable condition. 

The work of reconstruction occupied about six mouths' time, 
having been commenced about October 15, 1881, and completed 

in July, 1882. 

Very respectfully submitted, 

GEOUGE A. CLOUGII, 
City Architect. 



APPENDIX G. 



Tlie following report, on the restoration and renovation of the 
(Jld Slate House (City Document No. 100 of 1882), wjis submitted 
to the C'ommou Council, June 29, 1882 : — 



APPENDIX G. 157 

" The Committee on Public Buildings was instrnotcd by the 
City Council of 1881 to give effect to the following order which 
was approved by the Mayor, Sept. 17, 1881 : — 

" Ordered, That the Committee on Public Buildings be directed to lease the 
Old State House for such terms, to such parties, and upon such terms as they 
may deem for the best interests of the City of Boston ; and said committee 
are hereby autliorized to expend a sum not exceeding thirty-five thousand 
dollars in repairs on building; said sum to be charged to the appropriation 
therefor." 

"Under these instructions the committee of 1881 appointed 
Messrs. Whitmore, "WooUey, O'Brien, and Morrison, in lcS81, as 
a sub-committee; and in 1882, Messrs. Woollcy, Hart (Frost in 
bis place from February 24th), Morrison (Whitmore in his place 
from March 29th), and Eddy, in the same capacity. 

" Your committee begs leave to report in part, at this time, that 
the work has been substantiall}' finished, and to submit a detailed 
account of its expenditures. The estimate of $35,000 was as 
accurate a calculation as could be made in advance ; and tiiough, 
as will be shown, much more has been done than was anticipated, 
the work will be finished so that the building can be delivered to 
its occupants within the amount named. 

" It was found that the work involved not only the removal of 
the partitions on each floor, liut an elaborate reconstruction of the 
lower floor and basement, to fit them for such tenants as the city 
would desire to have in such a building. It was found neces- 
sary to heat the building by steam, in order to do away with the 
chimneys which had been put on during the present century. It 
was, of course, in the view whicii the committee took, necessary 
to take off the modern French roof and to restore the old pitch 
roof; to take out the glass front ou the west end, and tlie flight of 
stairs on the east end, and to replace them with substantial brick 



158 OLD STATK IIorSE KE-DEDICATION. 

walls nnd proper doors and windows. The plans of the old build- 
ing and the indications in the wood-work pointed to a circular 
stairway between the first and second floors. In utilizing the 
basement for business purposes, it was necessary to extend this 
stairway through that stor}- also. The repairs to the tower were 
costly, but indispensable. The second story, containing the 
Memorial Halls, has cost considerable money, but there every 
part of the finish had to be constructed afresh. 

" Your committee annex hereto the report of the City Architect, 
showing, first, tlie total cost of each kind of work ; secondly the 
cost of each part of the building. It seems that of the S3.'). 000 
the amount of Si 1,. 300 was expended for the antiquarian part, or 
the Memorial Halls ; the remainder has been economically ex- 
pended in arranging the building for business purposes, under the 
instrnetious to preserve and restore the original exterior. 

" In conclusion, your committee has to report that the work has 
revealed the fact that extensive repairs, perhaps costing 825,000, 
would have been needed within a very few years, as the walls 
were crumbling, the timbers of the roof and tower badly decayed, 
and even for renting purposes the building could not be compared 
with the modern offices in the vicinity. It liad l)oen hoped that 
the appropriation would allow the committee to fit up the attic, 
and to provide chandeliers, etc., for the halls. But as the work 
can be finished to this point within the original appropriation, and 
as these finishing touches can be left to our successors, it is only 
necessary to mention the facts. 

" Your committee would especially call attention to the zeal and 
success with which the City Architect has conducted the work. 
The details of the reconstruction of the old work have given him 
much exlra lalior, but it is believed that everything which has 
been done has the best architectural authority for it. A full 
explanation of the changes is reserved for another opportunity. 



AITEXDIX G. li>;) 

The various mechanics have heartily cooperated, and the result 
will, it is hoped, jirove that the appropriation lias been pn>|)erly 
expended. 

"Your committee anticipate that it can deliver up the building 
to the City Government early in July, and, unless otherwise in- 
structed, it is their intention to invite the City Council to attend 
at a formal celebration of the event. 

Respectfully submitted, 

AVILLIAM AVOOLLEY, 
CHARLES H. HERSEY, 
WILLIAM FROST, 
P. JAMES MAGUIRE, 
JOHN r. HILTON, 
OTIS EDDY, 
JOSEPH P. CONNELL, 
WILLIAM H. WHITMORE, 

Committee on Public Buildings." 



Accepted, and ordered to be printed. 

W. P. GREGG, 

Clerk. 



Office of City Architect, 
City Ham,, June 27, 1882. 

WiLLiAsi WooLLEY, Esq., Chairman Committee in charge of 
renovating the Old Stale House : — 

Dea.r Sir, — In compliance with the request of your committee, 
I herewith present a statement of the total cost of reconstructing 
and refitting the ancient structure, showing first the cost of each 
kind of work, together with the name of the mechanic that did it; 
secondly, the separate cost of restoring each part of the building : — 



100 



OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 



Carpenters. 



Ilolbrook & Harlow 
Sidney Peterson 



James Fagan 
C. AV. Baxter 



John D. Drisfoll 
Walburg & Sherry 



Masons. 



Painters. 



$9,413 69 
7,4.51 .31 



$,'5,301 67 
Sfi.'i 2.5 



81,920 70 
265 60 



$16,86.5 00 



Roofing and Gutters. 



T. F. IlfirriRan 



Superintendent and "Watchman. 
F. A. Hatch and M. Fariiham 

Steasi-ueating and Ventilation. 
Ingalls & Keudrickcn . . ^ . 

Iron and Marble Work. 
L. M. Ilam and Bowker, Torrov, & Co. . 



Granite- Work. 



R. R. Clark 



Plumbing. 



Briiitnall & Tombs 



Plastering. 



.1. IT. Davis . 

Amount carried forward, 



5,666 92 



2,186 30 

1,128 13 

1,380 04 

1,648 66 

1,061 74 

1,099 32 

988 58 

923 19 
$32,947 88 



APPENDIX G. 



1()1 



Amount bruughl forward, 

Cahving. 
W. II. Rmnncy ....... 

Gas-fitting. 
Charles Pierce ....... 

Fuel, advertising, ral-eatchiiig, and other niisccUa- 
ueoiis items, amount ...... 



832,947 88 



850 00 



235 


29 


825 


83 


834,859 00 



SErAUATK Cost ot- HKsroKiNt 

Reconstruction of roof 
Alteration, Washington-street end . 
Alteration, State-street end 
Construction of sub-cellar 
Fitting up of R.R. offices 
Fitting up antiquarian rooms . 
Circular staircase, hall and stairs 
Staircase basement stairs 



Eac 



H Pakt. 



$2,4G0 40 
1,400 00 



Fitting up offices, 1st floor, State-street end . 

" basement ...... 

The items of superintendence, watching, advertising, 
fuel, and worli upou the walls of outside, have not 
been included in the above amounts, in all amount- 
ing to ........ 



Very respectfully submitted, 



84,331 44 
1,658 39 
3,195 00 
1,470 00 
1,877 85 
8,864 34 



3,860 40 
1,649 19 
3,148 43 



4,803 96 



834,859 00 



GKORGE A. CLOUGII, 
City Architect- 



lOli VIA) STATi: IIUUSK KE-UKDICATION. 



APPENDIX II. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE " LAST WILL AX]} TESTAMENT OF 
ML, ItOBEKT KLAYNE, ALL OF IT WRITTEN WITH MY 
OWNE HANDS & BEGAN BY ME MO: 6: 1: 1653, COMON.'.Y 
CALLED AUGUST." 

1 Robert Kcayne, Cittizcn and M''chant Taylor of London by freedome, 
and by the good I'rovidencu of God now dwelling at Boston in Now England 
in Aniireca being at this time througli the great goodnes of my God, both in 
liealth of body, & of able and suUicient memory, yet considering that all 
flesh is as grasse, that must wither and will returne to the dust, and that my 
life may be taken away in a moment, therefore that I may be in the lietter 
readinesse (and freed from the distraeting cares of the disposing of my out- 
ward estate, w='' coinonly followcsthe deterringof it, while the time of sick- 
nes or day of Death, when the minde should be taken up with more serious 
and waighty consideracons) I doe therefore now in my health make ordaine 
& declare this to be my Last Will and Testament and to stand ami to be as ef- 
fectuall as if I had made it in my sieknes, or in the day or houre of my 
death, which is in manner and forme following 



This being p'missed in respect of my soule & my faith in Jesus Christ, I 
doe next coiTiitt my body to the earth (& to comely & decent burriall) there 
to rest till my loveing Savio' by his Almighty power shall raise it up againe, 
at which time I confidently beleive it shalbe reunited to my owno soule, and 
there shall receive according to the works that I have done in this life accord- 
ing as they have beene good or evill in the sight of God, or according to that 
faith and contidence that I have in the free grace and merits of the Lord 
Jesus Christ. As for my Hnriall I shall not desire any great outward sidem- 
nitie to be used further [lliO.J then that which shalbe decent it civill as be- 
comes Christians knowing that extraordinary solemnities can nothing add to 
the peace or benefit of the deceased, yet haveing beene trayned up in Millilary 
Discipline from my young' yeares, & haveing endeavoured to promote it 
the best I could since (iod hath brought me into this country & seeing he 
hath beene pleased to use me as a jioore instrument to lay y^ foundation of 
that Noble Society of the .Artillery Conii)any in this |)laee, that hath so farr 
]iro3pered by the blessing of (iod as to beipe many with good experience in 
the use of theire Armes & more exact knowledge in the JliUitary .Vrt & 
hath beene a nursery to raise up many able and well experienced souhliers 
that hath done since good service for their country, therefore to declare my 
alTections to that exercise & the society of souldiers, I shall desire to be 
buryed as a sonldier in a Jlillitary v/ay, if the time & place of my death and 
other occasions may suite thereunto which I leave to the discretion of my 
executors and friends 

As for the goods of this life which the Lord of his aboundant mercy. Ills 
rich & undeserved favo' hath bestowed & reserved to me the greatest of sin- 
ners and the unworthyest of all his servants I dispose of in manner following 

********** 

These thirds for my wife being p'messed >t my fTunnerall charges & debts 
being provided for as I have before mentioned The rest of my whole estate 



APPENDIX H. ]()3 



V)Oth personnall & roall with my lanils housing & all other things belonging 
to my estate 1 devide into two parts, the one part whereof I give and be- 
queath unto my wellieloved & only son Henjainin Keayne, the other part of 
my estate, I nieane tlie just or due value of it I reserve as my owne riglit. to 
dispose of as I please which is as herein shall after be expressed. 

********** 
********** 
I haveing long thought & considered of the want of some necessary tilings 
of publike concernment which may not be only comodious hut very 
profitable & usefuU for the Towne of Hoston, as a Market place & Cuniiit, the 
one .1 good helpe in danger of fyre, the want of which wee have found by sad 
& costly experience not only in other parts of the towne where jjossibly they 
have better sui)])ly for water but in tlie heart of the towne about the market 
])lace, tile otlier usefull for the country people tliat come with thcire pro- 
visions for the sui)ply of the towne, that they nuiy have a place to sitt dry in 
and warnio both in cold raine & durty weather & may have a place to leave 
theire corne or any other things safe that they cannot sell, till they come 
againe, which would be both an incouragement to the country to come in & 
a great meanes to increase trading in the [IHS.] Towne also, to have some 
convenient roonie or too for the Courts to nieete in both in Winter & Sumer 
& so for the Towues men &, Comissio^ of the Towne, also in the same 
building or the like there may be a convenient roonie for a Library & a 
gallery or some other handsome roome for the Elders to meete in & conferr 
together wlien they have occasion to come to the towne for any such ende, as 
I perceive they have many, Tlien in the same building there may be also a 
roome for an Armory to keepe the Amies of the Artillery Company & for the 
Souldiers to meete in when they have occasion. Now if it should not be 
thought convenient by the Elders & Deacons or guids of the towne that all 
these conveniencyes should be under one roofe or in one place of the towne 
or that there be some places already built that may conveniently be used or 
fitted up with smale <'ost fur some of these purposes, as in the Meeting House 
for a Granere or Armory &. otlier places in it for the Magistrates & Comissio" 
to meete in as they doe sometimes, it is true in the sumer they may, in the 
AVinter they cannot for want of chimneyes & fyres, but it would be necessary 
& more convenient (And the Towne hath beene often speaking about it, to 
have such a buihiing for such uses though yet it hath not beene accomplished) 
if there were .1 place fitted on purpose & set apart for suce publike uses, and if 
advice were taken with some skilfull & ingenious workmen & some others that 
have gooil heads in contriving of buildings such as Mr. Broughton, Mr. 
Clarke, the Chirirgion &c. there might such a model be drawne up that one 
fabrieke or building may [120.] be easily contrived that would conveniently 
accomodate all these uses, without extraordinary cost and yet may be so done 
as would be a great ornament to the towne as well as usefull & profitable 
otherwayes but if the cheife of the towne should be of anotli' minde, then I 
should proiKise this, that the cundit & Markett House be sett in the market place 
somewhere betweene M'' (logins house & mine or any where in that great 
streete betweene M^ Parkers House & M''. Brentons or rather M'. Webb's if it 
should bo judgeil there to be more convenient, these two may handsomely be 
contrived in one building in V' possibly may be some other convenient 
roomes fitt for some of the uses before mentioned besides & for those which 
that place cannot supply, as for a Lilirary & for a Gallere or Long Roome 
for the Devines & Schoilers to meete & conferr togeather upon any occasion 
it may be contrived to bo sett all along on the foreside of the Meeting house 
joyning to it on the one side ami the otlier side to be supported with pillars so 
the roomes about may be for Court meetings at the one side & the Elders at 
the other & the open roome betweene the pillars may serve for Merchants, 
M' of Shipps and strangers as well as the towne (being either paled or horded 
on the ground) to meete in at all times to conferr ahout there busines & 
occasions w'='' I conceive would be very advantagius to the towne & may be so 



]()4- OLD STATK IIOrSE nE-DEniCATIOX. 



contrived & sett forth y' will be no ilisn;racc or incumbrance to the tnectinij house 
but a fireat ornament to it, butif it should be thought not convenient to have it in 
the front of the Meeting [tUT.] House, it may accomplish the same ends, if 
placed on that side of the Meeting House from Seargeant Williams shop to 
Deacon Trusdalls house, or if a building jilaced in one of these two places 
may accomplish all the ends before menconed save only the Cunditt then a 
large Cundit may be sett up alone, about the place where the Pillary stands 
& the other about the meeting bouse as before w^i' I leave to the best con- 
trivement of the towne & the Elders & Deacons w'^*' building or buildings if 
the towne shall thinke meete to goe about it & improve them fur the severall 
uses before mentioned, only the Granere may be in any other place of the 
towtie as shalbe thought convenient, I stand not upon that though my owne 
judgement leads me to thinke that some places or place about the Comon 
Market or near to it willie most suitable for many reasons. I say towards the 
building of these convenient i)laces. 

Item I give and beiiueath three hundreth pounds in good merchantable 
pay the one third i)art thereof when the frame is brought to the place & 
raysed or some ])art of it before when the frame is in some forwanlness if 
neede be, the seconde part when the ehimneyes are built, the house covered 
and closed in round and all the floores layd, and the last third part when it 
is quite finished, provided that it be gone about and finished within two or 
three yeares at the most after my decease, and if any of these either a Cundet 
or Markett House should be sett up before my death, by the towne or any 
other in the place or places above mentioned, then my gift shall remaine 
good either for some addition to the same worke or for the accomplishing of 
those other workes by me mentioned that are not done by others, with a re- 
hating proportionable to what [lii8.] is or shalbe before done by the towne 
or any other Pson, Now that these things may not he only for a show or a 
name & when finished prove as shaddowes & stand as emptie roouies without 
substance that they may be improved for the vises that I ayme at & intend 
though my estate is not such as whereby I am able to doe what I desire & 
would be willing to doe if had it, for such iiublike benefitt, yet for examples 
sake & encouragement of others (especially of our owne towne wi:'> will 
have the benefitt of it) & such in the towne that have imhlike spirits & some 
comfortable estates to hclpe on such workes I shalbe willing to cast in my 
mite & l)ring my lime & hare possibly tjrod may stirr up the hearts of others 
to bring in their Badger skines & silke & others more costly things that the 
worke may goe on & prosper in so smale a beginning 

Therefore to the Granere I give and bequeath One hundred pounds to be 
payd in Corne and that to be improved for a publike stocke to such uses & 
ends as I shall hereafter mention 

Next the Library & Gallere for Devines & SchoUers to meete in being 
finished 

I give and bequeath to the beginning of that Library inj' 3 great writing 
bookes \y'^ are intended as an Exposition or Interpretation of the whole 
Rible, as also a 4"' great writing booke in which is an exposition on the 
Pro|)becy of Daniel of the Revelations & the Prophecy of Hosea not hmg since 
began, all which Hookes are written with my owne hand so farr as they be 
writt & coulil desier that some alile seholler <u' two that is active and dilli- 
gcnt & addicted to reading and writing were ordered to carry on the same 
worke by degrees as they have leasure and opportunitie & in the same 
methode and way as I have h<«;un (if a better be iu)t advised to) at least if 
[liJJ).] it shalbe esteemed for the profitt of it to young students (though 
not so to more able and learned Devines in these knowing times) worth the 
labo' as I have & doe finde it to my selfe worth all the paines & labour I 
have bestowed up^on them, so that if I hail lOil''' layd me downe for them, to 
deprive me of them, till my sight or life should be taken from me I should 
not jiart from them 



APPENDIX II. J(>," 



And because I perceive that the Elders of the neigho'ing towncs liave ap- 
pointed certaine times in y'" yeare as chietly in Sunier time once a moneth to 
meete together to confirr about orderin;^ things in the Churches according to 
God &to debate about doubts or difficult {juestions that may arise, in matters of 
religion and such like and that tlicy have noe |)lace ti) nioete in, hut at one of 
our Elders houses nor notliing to refresh themsidves witli but of tliem w''' may 
prove too great a burthen to our Elders (tlie meetings being so often and con- 
tinueing constant) to heare of theire owue charge besides other burthens &. in- 
conveniences they may undergoe Therefore the roorae before mentioned be- 
ing fitted y' they may meete when they please thereat I doe will and bequeath 
fower jiouuds a yeare to be payd out of some of my shops in Boston by 
quarterly payments w'*' may be ordered and disposed as the Eld™ shall direct 
or advise to provide some refreshing for them when they meete or now and 
then dinn" as farr as it will gne & as themselves shalhe pleased to husband 
it, not that I would |nit upon my Executor the care of such provisions or of 
buying or dressing the meate, but that he should appointe w''' shop should pay 
them so much & then they may appointe a steward of theire owne to receive 
the pay every quarter it then they to direct how it shalbe layd out or dis- 
posed of for that ende to there owne content, only I would p'misse this if 
there meeting be only in the Sumer& not in the Winter as 1 conceive then my 
will is that they should receive this fower [IJJl.] pounds every Sumer, by 
forty shillings a quarter as that which wilbe most convenient for there meet- 
ing, and this gift of fower pounds p anno I give for the space of Ten yeares 
from the time of my death, if tliat meeting continue so long in that towne, 
hoping that before then some other may be moved to ste]) in & to add so much 
more to it as may serve to provide a moderate dinner for every time of there 
meeting so that noe part of the charge of it may lye upon themselves and 
when the 10 yeares is ended I doubt not if my son be then liveing here (& ray 
buildings continue as now, that he would continue this gift of myne longer if 
that meeting continue longer & proves by experience to be much for the good 
and advantage of religion & the churches as is intended & not to the hurt & 
pjudice of the same 

And if a convenient fay re roome in one of the buildings before mentioned 
be sequestered & set a jiart for an Amory & the meeting of the Artillery if 
there it be thought convenient or if some other place be provided for that use 
more convenient, with the UHicers of that Companys advice, 1 am not strict 
for the very place so they have content in it, though yet I tii. ike the very 
hart & securest part of the towne (& noe out or by place) is the most fitt for 
a Magazene for Amies because of the danger of surprizing of them, the i)lace 
that they now use willie fitt, to scower & tend the Arnies in & the other to lay 
them up & keepe tliem in. which wilbe a comely sight for straingers to see & 
a great ornament to the roome & also to the towne where [13'i ] the soul- 
diers may arme themselves every time they goo to exercise, sucu a place be 
ing provided I give & bequeath five pounds for the incouragern' of that Com- 
p:iny to be layil out in Pikes & IJandal" for the use of such souldiers of tliat 
Company that live in other towues, so farr as it cannot be convenient for them 
t.) bring there arines w"' them, or if the Officers of that Company doe know 
any other tliinge that the Company wants that wilbe more usefuU for the gen- 
nerall good of the Company then what I have mentioned that will continue 
& not be spent or consumed in the use, then I am willing that the whole 
or any part of this legacy may be so disposed of takeing in the advice and 
consent of mv Executor in the s.amc. 



Now concerning the originall legacy of Three hundred pounds that I have 
given to the Towne of Boston for the raysing of a Cundit in the Market 
place & for a building to fitt for such uses as I have before mentioned, if any 
shall alleadge that three hundred jiounds is not sufficient to accomplish it I 
answf. 1. That it may be some of these may be gjni about & finished by 



IOC) nl.n STATE HOUSE UE-DEDICATIOX. 



y Towne before Goii may call me out of this world as y'' Cundet or m'ket 
house &e. & then tliere wilbe the lesse to doe and 1 know tliat the Towne 
hath agitated it & seriously intended to have (;one about to doe them all 
exeept only y' library, as sueli tliinj^s that are needful! & will turne to the 
]iul)like advantaj^e of the Towne. 2'>'. I say that I conceive if it be well 
manafjed & ordered it may doe it all or very neare it. I suppose one of the 
two last houses that I built hath roonie enou};li in it to accomplish all the 
ends before nientioneil e.xcu^ptinj^ the ('undit, if it had beene first contrived 
cS; th()Uf;lit on for such an ende, yet that hath not cost me 400"', not by so 
much as I suppose [14-0.] will neare build a new Condit, but Thirdly if it 
should fall short I doe expect & suppose that the Towne wilbe williufj to add 
to it & make up the rest either by cnlarfjint; of the Conveniencyes or beauti- 
fyinsj the structure for the Inciter ornament of the towne & possibly some 
else may thinke of some other thin;; wanting, that may be as usefull to the 
genn'all good of the towne as most of these to be added to it, W'' I have not 
thought upon, besides if I wure about to l)uild a thinge that 1 conceive would 
be very usefull & advantagious to nie but am not comfortably able to beare 
the charge of it, if any freiiul out of love to me would lend me 300"". some 
considerable time gralise it would be a great incouragement to me to goe on 
wiih the worke, but if he should offer to give me freely 300"*. towards it I 
should think my selfe bound to be very thankefull to him and to be willing 
to make up what is wanting rather than I would loose so free a kindnes by 
my neglecting of the worke. 

But i)ossibly some wilbe re.ady to apprehend that I may doe this only for 
my owne cndes & benelitt w«" may make them the more backward to have it 
goe on especially with any of there owne Cost, tor some such spiritts there 
1)0 that bad rather deny themselves a benefitt then that another should enjoye 
a greater benefitt by it, as some have said that 1 have beene very forward to 
have a Cundit in y' ]>lace because I have so many houses & buildings there 
about & so a Market House [1-tl.] wili)e more the beneticiall to bring trade 
to my shops. I answ^ pult ('ase that this were in all things true, it is not sine- 
full nor unlawfuU in I'hristian prudence to jivide meanes for the p'venting 
of danger or procureing of any lawfull good, I doubt not but they v.-ould doe 
tlie like if it were tluir o«ne case. But 2'"-'' what advantage will this be 
to nu' when I am dead and gone, if others should not recreive more benefitt 
tlu'ii I by it I need not trouble my selfe with what may fall out in after times, 
in these respects for I shall feele no want, iu>r suft'er any damage by such 
losses & a 100 things would come into consideration as neeilfuU to p'vent 
or provide for as these, if men goeing out of the world should trouble them- 
selves with the care of such changes and things that may happen wlu'n they 
are dead 3'".>' If my housen only were there & no other shops but myne, 
there might be more gro\ind for such an a|iprehension, but it is the heart of 
the towne an<l nuiny fayre buildings & shojis there be round about, the 
Market is there seated allready, the Market bouse is more for the convenieney 
of Strang" & there accomodation in winter and sumer in wet & dry tliere for 
the inhabitants of the towne & in that respect it is a worke of charitie and 
mercy and though some pticular psons that trade nuiy l-.ave more benefitt 
by it then some other psons that dwell further off, yet the a<lvantage & 
protilt of it will reilounil to Ihe whole towne in genn'^all and for my owne 
I>ticular I baveing given overtrade [l-HI.] long agoe) the nearenes of the 
market is more chargeable than beneficiall to me, if I looked not at a 
genn'all & puhlike good, more then my iirivate & for the Cunditt I eonfcsse 
it is very necessary & usefull in numy respects, esjiecially in danger of fyre 
& well it were if there were more of them in the towne then there is, but 
that it wilbe nuire beneficiall to me or that I shall have more neede of it then 
others who can tell, who knowes y' my house alone shalbe sett on fyre, (^od 
may ])'serve myne though divers others may be consumed, as it fell out lately 
by sad experience, bad there beene a Condit in the Market place before, then 
would it not have beene looked lit & found to bo a publike good, might not 



APPENDIX II. 



some of the houses hecne saved that were consumcii more worth then the 
charge of setting up tliree or fiiwcr such Conilitts, nay if the fvre had gone 
on in its rage as it was most like (had not (iod in unexpected mercv 
ji'vented it) & ceased upon otliers lu)uses as it threatened to doe, the wlu)le 
towne would have had cause to thinke & to have hewailed the want of it) 
that such a Conditt was a publiquc good & the want of it a publiqiie evill 
though some pticular psons might have had the benefite of it at that time 
more than others, and at some other times others might have had more neede 
& more benefitt by it than they l)ut if my houses & shopes stoode alone or 
if I only should need & not others, if it were for my owne private & not for 
the publique good of others, I would l)uild a Condit & a Market house too it 
there were neede [143.] at my own charge without calling in the heljie of 
others cS; I thinke if my owne heart deceive me not, my ayme in all these 
things proposed is for the genn'all good of the towne & that if I had noe 
house thereabouts but had liveil in some other part of the towne, I sliouhl be 
as forward to promote these workes as I liave beene formerly or am at this 
p'scnt, so I should desire all my loveing brethren & neighbo" of the towne 
to interpf' & accept of what I tender to them, as a fruite of my true endeavoi^ 
& desire of the townes good & not at any private a<lvantage of me or myne &, 
as one y' have beene willing & desireous to heli)e them forward in my life- 
time rather than death, And for that legacy of one hundred jiound before 
mentioned for y" Grannere to begin a stocko for a publique magzine of 
Corne for the towne or cheifely the poorer sort in it, now what private ends 
or advantage can any one apprehend I can have in that when I am dead & so 
for the library & armory & Plattforme & Butt for the incou''agem' of the 
Artillery Comi)any & or free schoole or what I had set apart form'ly for the 
trayning up of the Indians Childien in learning & some English scholl™ to 
le.irne the Indian Tongue, now if these ^.annot but be interp''ted for a pub- 
lique and genn'all good to the towne why should any conceive otherwise of 
the other, for the Conditt there is none in the markett place & if such a 
worke be needfuU in any p'. of the towne, it is 5 times more needful! tliere 
[I'M:.] & so for the market house except there were more publique markets 
set up in some othere p". of the towne & though God hath beene pleased in 
some measure to carry me on witli a publiquc s|)irit to sceke the good of the 
towne according to that abillity which God hath beene ]>leased to afford unto 
me though I am not able to doe according to the largeues of my desire hope- 
ing that God will raise up some others after me, of abler estates & opener 
hearts & hands to add larger additions to these weake beginnings or to begin 
some others that nuiv be more usefull than these. 



And for the Three hundred pounds which I have given to the Towne of 
Boston to build a Condit, a Market house & Ti)wne house with a Library 
Grannere & Armore, as I have before mentioned if the towne of Hoston 
shall slight or undervalue this gift or ray good will to them therein &. shall 
refuse or neglect to goe about & finish these sev'all buildings in manner & 
time before mentioned rather than they wilbe troubled with it, or add any- 
thing of theire owne for the finislieing of it, then my will is that this gift of 
HOO"'. given to Hoston for the uses of those buildings before mentioned shall 
utterly cease and become voyd in respect of Boston & those giftes that I have 
given with relation to those buildings as my Bookes to the Library &"^. or any 
others of them that I have [15H.] not before jirovided for i ordered shalbe 
& remane to the sole use of the Collidge at Cambridge in the same manner 
that I have ordered the former 1•J0'^ in Corne for the poore in Boston, in 
case the Deacons or Towne shall refuse or neglect to give security for the 
l>rincipall stocke as before is mentioned. 

My true meaning herein is this that if the Towne of Boston shall sett 
upon one or two of these workes & neglect or refuse to carry on the rest (or some 
of the other that I have mentioned happely being done by the Towne before 



1G8 OLD STATE HOUSE KK-DEDIt'ATION. 



I <lye) as if thpy shoulil huild only the Condit & Market house & not a Townes 
house or Eibrary & Gallere or a (Jrannere & Arraore &. not a Conilit or 
Market house &''. tlion inv will is that my executo'' shall jiive only such a 
proportion of this Three Imniireiith pounds as that worke or huilding shall 
come too, w"^'' lliey set upon only in relation to this gift of inyne, compared 
with the value of the other buildings that I have likewise mentioned hut they 
have left undone cii. that what upon that account slialbe reserved of the 300"'. 
shalbe for the use of the Collidge of Cambridge, as I have given the whole 
300"'. in case they refuse or neglect to finish all those buildings or any of 
them within two or three yeares after my death as before I have ordered. 
********** 
********** 

And concerning my bookes that I have given to begin the Library with all 
in Boston, my will is that my brother Willson & M'' Norton Eld™ at Boston 
or the teaching Eld" that shall at the time of my death (after my wife and 
son Benjamine have mafie choyce of sonn? bookes for theire owne use as I 
have before expressed) may be requested to take ])aines to view over the rest 
of my bookes & .such as they shall judge fitt for that use to take a ptieuK note 
or inventory of them & so to take them into there owne keeping or to leave 
them with my executo'' if they will, till the time mentioned in this will be ac- 
complished, that if the towne of Boston should not within three yeares after 
my deatli build a handsome roome for a Library & aiioth"^ for the Eld" & 
SchoU" to walke & meete in, as before I have expressed, that then they may 
[lf)7.] be delivered to the President or some of the Overseers of IIeri)ert 
CoUidge in Cambridge to be placed as my gift or addition to that Library that 
is already begun there. 

********** 
******* * * * 

Therefore I doe here againe declare all that which is contained before in nine 
sheetes of paper writt with my owne hand in all the sides thereof & more par- 
ticularly expressed in the Md page y of with all tli.at is added to it in this page 
37 to be my last Will & Testament & my sim Major Benjamine Keayne to 
he sole executor thereof & my loveing freinds mentioned iii the lower ende 
of i)age 3(5 to be the overseers of it. 

In VVittnes whereof as there so here againe I have putt to my hand & scale 
in the p'sence of these whose names & lianiles are hereunder written this 
December 28, l()o3 

liouKitT Kii.iYXE & a scale 

John Willson Edw Tinu 

lilClIARD P.\HKEK Roll''' lluLL 

Edw Fkletcueu 

[274.] Att a County Court held at Boston 2d of May 1650 
M' .lolm \Vilson Sen. M'. Hichard Parker & M'. Edward Tyng deposed before 
the Court that Cap' Kobert Kiayni' at y times meiitoned in the thirty sixt 
jiage & thirty seventh ]iag. did call them in ami declared these nine sheets of 
paper &, one l)age to be his last will & testament i>c sawe him signe and scale 
the same & y' they know of no other will w^'' was approved of by y" Court as 
attests 

Edward Rawson Recorder 
[In Margin, page 273.] 

At a County Court for Sufifolko heldat Boston 

2'.>"'.Tanur'' A" 1(!S3 
The Executo" within nominated of the last will of Capl" Hobert Keyne 
sometime of Boston dece'' hereto annexed being both dead ! Power of 
.Vdni'^ ■" of y" estate of ,s'' Cap'"' Keyne is granteil unto M' Nicholas Paige and 
.\nna his wife tjrand daught' of s'' Kobert Keyne to pursue the perfornnince 
of bis will in what remains to he done therein, they to give Bond of one 
lliousanil ]iounds to execute the same, their own bond being accepted by y" 
Court is accordingly taken 

Attest Is* .VuiJixoToN Cl"= 



APPENDIX I. 1()9 



APPENDIX I. 



THE FIRE IN 1747. 

[On pp. 57-58 we have given two contemporaneous accounts of 
the destrMction of the House, bj' fire, iu 1747. The following 
description is wortliy of preservation as containing some additional 
particulars.] 

From the Boston Gazette, or Weekly Journal: No. 1343. 
Tuesday, December 15, 1747. 

"Last Wednesday' Morning this Town was exceedingly sur- 
prised by a most terrible Fire which broke out at the Court 
House, whereb}' that spacious and beautiful Building, except the 
bare walls, was entirely destroyed: The Rise and Progress of 
which, according to the best Information we can get, is as fol- 
lows, viz. : The Day before being very cold, and the General 
Court silting, there had been two fierce Fires In the Chimnies of 
the Chambers both of the Council and Representatives ; and from 
those Chimnies between them the Fire seeins to have been kin- 
dled, and to have been lurking all Night in one of the Beams 
beneath them, till it first broke out in the Deal or Cedar Wainscot 
2)assuge between the Doors of those Chambers, which were of Deal 
or Cedar Wainscot also. 

" For at Six in the Morning the Watch at the East End of the 
Town House broke up ; and between five and ten Minutes after, 
the Rays of the Fire first discover'd it in the said Passage through 
the great Windoiu against it, 1)3- glancing into the Chambers of 
the Houses on the North side of the Town-House, where two 
or three People were awake ; and running to the "Windows first 
saw it Tliere ; but it quickly broke into the Council Chamber, 
and run up the Deal Wainscot Stairs into the Loft and Lanthom 
above, and set them all in a Blaze, before the People came either 
to manage the Engines, or save the Province Records, Books, 



170 OLD STATE UOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

Papers, Plan/i, Pictures, or anything else in tfie Chambers or 
Apnrtments, to the inestimable Loss of the Prorince. 

" Uut tliro' the Mercy of GOD the County Records under the 
We.-<te.rn Staircase below aud Part of the Province Records under 
the Eastern staircase below, as also Copies of the Minutes 
OK CocNCiL FROM THE Beginnin(s TO 1737, being at the Secre- 
tary's dwelling House are happily saved. 

" In the Cellars which were hired by several Persons, a great 
Quantity of Wines and other Liquors, were lost, to the amount of 
several Thousand Pounds. The Vehemence of the Flames oc- 
casion'd sucii a great llcat as to set the Roofs of some of the 
oiiposite Mouses on Fire, notwithstanding ihey had been cov- 
ered with Snow, and were extinguished with much bifliculty." 



APPENDIX J. 



BILL FOR PAINTING THE STATE HOUSE, 1778. 

Ttic following interesting document is printed from the original i.i the 
collection of Mcllen Chamberlain, Esq., of the Boston Public Library: — 
1773. Province Massachusetts liay to Tho*. Crafts, Jun. Dr. 

To paintin;.; State House, Viz. 

To paints Council Chamber Loliy, &c., 402 yards @ 9''., 15.. 1 . . ti 

To Ditto Representatives Ditto, 426 yards @ O^., 15. .19.. C 

To my self & 2 hands, 2 D.'iys and half, taking down & "J 

putting up Picture in Council & Uepresentatives > I.. 17.. 6 

Chambers @ 5/, J 

To painting & Gilding Kings Armg, 

To Ditto Ditto Colonies D°, 

To Ditto Codfish, 

To Ditto & Gilding Dial, East End, 

To Ditto Bricks as p' Agreement, 

To Ditto lower floor, p' Ditto, 

To Ditto Stair Cases, 20H yards, @ 9''., 
May To 4 Hands, Cleaning & scraping D"., 1 day @ 5/, 
25th To painting Belcony & Pedemint over it, 80 yards @ 10''., 

To Ditto 10 Luthcrin Windows @ 8/, 

To Ditto 8 Cants, 30 yards Qd W^., 



10. 


. 0., 


. 


4. 


. 0., 


. 


0. 


.15. 




3. 


.10. 


. 


47. 


. 0., 


. 


II. 


. 7 .. 


. 4 


7 . 


.10. 


. 


1. 


. 0. 


. 


3. 


. r, . 


. 8 


4. 


. 0., 


. 


1. 


. 5., 


. 



APPENDIX K 171 



To Ditto 2 Carved Corner Pieces, 

To Ditto Lyon & Unicorn, 

To Ditto 3 Pediments over Doors, 30 yards @ 10*., 

To Ditto 54 Window frames, very Dry, @ 4/, 

To Ditto 1442 squiires sash @ 12''., 

To Ditto 4 Ox Eye Window frames @ 1/, 

To Ditto Mondilion Cornish outside, IGO yards @ IC., 

To Ditto Trunks, 50 Yards @ 10"., 

To wriiin;; Gold Letters over Doors, 

To 2 Hands half day, bringing Picturs from Gov" & 

pun< up. 
To p.iints 2 Doz Draws, 

To Ditto Rails down front Steps, 4 hands 2 days, 
T« cleaning Gov Burnets Picture &, Gilds frame. 



60 yards painting short charg* @ S""., 



1. 


. 0. 


. 


1. 


. 8. 


. 


I. 


.5. 


. 


10. 


.IC. 


. 


12. 


. 0. 


. 4 


0. 


. 4. 


. 


6. 


.13. 


. 4 


2. 


. 1. 


. M 




12. 


. 




6. 


. 




4. 


. 


3. 


. 0. 


. 


1. 


.16. 




£171. 


. 3. 


.10 


2. 


. 5. 


. 


£173. 


. 8. 


.10 



APPENDIX K. 



GIFTS BY THE STATE. 

By chapter 47 of the Resolves of the Legislature, approved June 
2, 1883, it was 

" Resolved, That the Governor and Council be, and they are 
hereby, authorized to transfer to the City of Boston any old fur- 
niture or other articles used in or identified with the Old State 
House." 

Acting on this authority the old table formerly in use by the 
Governor and Council was transferred to the old building. The 
following letter accompanied the gift : — 

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

ExBCUTivE Department, 

Boston, Dec. 8, 1883. 

To the City of Botton : — At the request of the City of Boston, through its 
proper officers placed in charge of the "Old State House," and with the ad- 



172 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

vice and consent of the Council, I have sent herewith, to be preserved in that 
building, by the custodians, the table of the Executive Council before the 
Revolution, which was removed to the State Ilouse, and kept in the use of 
the Council, during the occupation of the present State House, beginning from 
the opening of the present century. After a careful examination of the rec- 
ords of tlie Executive Department, and the oflice of the Secretary of State, 
I believe there can be no doubt of the verity of the table returned herewith, 
excepting only change because of repairs. 

BENJ. F. BUTLER, 

Governor. 
[seal] Witness the Seal of the Commonwealth, 

HENRY B. PEIRCE, 

Secretary. 

There is no doubt that this table was in use in the old building, 
as the records show repeated repairs upon it, but no purchase of a 
new table, until reccath', when the one in use was l)ought. Its 
framework is very old. though the top is more recent. The centre 
is made of black- walnut, and on that account its age was ques- 
tioned. Investigation, however, showed that the use of this wood 
for ornamental furniture dates back at least to the middle of the 
last century. 

The State officials also sent various old chairs, a portion of the 
old chandelier, a secretary, and a case for papers or books inscribed, 
"The Gift of Isaac lioYAL, Esq' of Charles-Town." 



APPKISDIX L, 173 



APPENDIX L. 



THE COURT HOUSE, THE JAIL, AND THE CITY HALL. 

As has been stated in tlie preceding pages, the Courts for the 
county of Suffoliv were heUl in the okl Town House, until it was 
burnt in 1747, with occasional sessions, when necessary, in the 
First Church building or elsewhere. 

When the interior of the Town House was rebuilt after tlie 
fire of 1747, a room was reserved for the use of the Courts ou the 
wester!}* end of the second floor. It was undoubtedly the north- 
westerly corner, and there was a stairway and lobby in tlie 
north-easterly corner, with an entrance to the west end of the 
Representatives' 1 1 all. 

The dimensions of this Court Room^ cannot now be accurately 

> The following extracts from the Court Records show that the Court claimed ownerahip 
of the room after removal. 

At a Court of General Sessions of the Peace held at Boston, on Tuesday, May 2, 1769, it 
wan 

** Ordered, that John Ruddock, Belcher Noyes and Samuel Pembcrton be and they 
hereby are appointed a Committee to cause the Stairs in the late Court Chamber in the 
Townhouse, so called, leading up to the Gallery tliere, to be immediately tatceu down ; that 
they cause the Door leading into said Chamber to be lock'd and so Secur'd as that no person 
shall Enter said Chamber, without the leave of this Court or the Consent of the Committee : 
and said Committee are directed to Open the other Stairs leading up to the Gallerj'. 

" The said Committee above named dcclLning to Act in the above affair. Ordered that 
Richard Dana, Joseph Williams and John Tudor, Esq"", be the Committee for the above 
Purposes." 

At a Court held at Bralntree Tuesday, Oct. 1, 1776, " Thoman Cushing Esq', is appointed 
to inform the General ^VBscmbly of this State that this Court consent Chat the Chamber at 



174 OLD STATK IIUUSK HK-DEUICATION. 

fixed, except that it was oi'er elcTen feel in width, east and west, 
and was limited, north and south, by the above-named stairway. 
Consideiing the laige needs of the House of Uepieseutatives, it 
does not seem unreasonable to imagine that this Court Room was 
not over flftccu feet north and south, and perhaps twenty feet 
east and west. It should be remembered that we hardly know the 
j)urpose for which this room served. The clerk's offices were on 
the floor below, the jury-room must have been elsewhere, and for 
all important trials the Representatives' Hall itself was available. 

However, for al)out twenty years the Courts were established 
within the walls of the Town House. The following items from 
tlie Court records boar upon this period : — 

At a Court in Boston, P"eb. 10, 1746-7, it was ordered that 
12s. ;>(/. "be paid unto Mr. Benjamin Russell for setting up a 
l>;ir in Faneuil Hull, p. order of both Judges of tlie Sup. Court, 
for tlie Tryal of persons indited for iniirtlier." 

At the same time £3.1G..G was allowed to Oiiesiphorus Tilestou 
for work and materials in the Clerk's Oflice of this Court. 

Oct. 31, 1748, £5 was paid to Richard Hubbard for tolling the 
bell, sweeping the house, &c. 

Nov. 9, 1748, £2. .3. .7 was paid to Thomas Parker for '' work 
and stuff in mending the Chimney in the office at Faneuil Hall." 

March 6, 1748-9. £2..12..0 was paid to Mr. Robert Stone "in 
full of his Account for the Courts sittinir at his house." 



the WcBt end of the old Court house betaken iiU" Un .\~~,n,i.i\ i; . n,, ih, si:itc paying 
the County therefor such a Sum n« the Assembly shall think just and reasonable." 

At u Court held at noston, Tuesday, April IS, 1777, " (h-iltrfit, that such of the Members 
of this Court as are members of the Great and General Court of this Slate, shall be a Com. 
mittce to Apply to said Great and OenemI Court for such a Grant as they may think reason- 
able, for the Room belonging to this County In the Old Court Uouse, whieli was taken Into 
the Room used by the House of UcDrcsentatlves for the enlargement thereof." 

Dr. Moore states that notwithstanding the above vote, no recompense was made to the 
Court or the County, until the final settlement in ISOS, by which the town of Boslou paid 
all elalmi.. (.1/./., p. 102.) 



APPENDIX L. 175 

May 15, 1 749, £19 was paid to William Clear, " in full of his ac- 
count for the Couits sitting :it liis liouse in January and February 
last." Also £10 to Benj". Bagnall, " it being in full for the several 
Courts of Justice sitting in the Quakers Meeting house to this day." 

At an adJDUrniuent of a Court of Gen" Sessions on Friday the 
28'" of July A.D. 171'.). 

" The Mem" of Middlecott Cooke & Ezek' Goldthwait the Clerks 
of this Court setting forth tliat when the Town house was Con- 
sumed in Dec'. 1747, they took all possible pains to preserve the 
publick Records & Files of tlie County then in their office, that in 
removing the same out of the Townhouse the Files of Writs Exe- 
cutions & other papers belonging to the County were most of 'em 
broke & so intermixed that there was scarce a whole file of Papers 
together for near Seventy or eighty years past, that upon the 
Jlern" informing this Court thereof, the were pleas'd to order the 
]Mem" to Sort the Files & papers & put 'cm into order which 
they have accordingly done & in doing there of have taken great 
Care & been put to a considerable Expencc of time, praying this 
Court to make them such an Allowance therefor as they shall 
think reasonable was read & thereupon Ordered that Sam' Welles 
Sara' Watts Sam' White Joseph Heath & Samuel Miller Esq" be a 
Com"", to take s'' Mem", into Consideration & report to this Court 
as soon as may be (word left out — piece torn from book) 
they shall think reasonable sho* be allowed the Memo, for said 
SeiTice." 

At an adjournment of a Court of Gen" Sessions on W^eduesday 
the 9'^of Aug'. A.D. 1749. 

"The Committee appointed the 28"' of July on tho Memorial of 
Messrs Middlecott Cook & Ezek' Goldthwait reported that they 
were humbly of Oi)inion that there be allowed and paid out of the 
County Treasury Sixty five Pounds bills of the last Emission to 
the Memorialists for their Services as set forth in said Memorial 



176 OLD STATE HOUSE KE-DEDICATIOX. 

which report was rcatl & accepted & there upon it was Ordeii'd 
that said Sum be paid out of the Count}- Treasury accordingly." 

Feb. 9, 1749-50. £26..!.. 9 was paid to William Doane, Esq., 
" it being for Curtains and Cushions in the Court Chamber." 

July 29, 1751. " Ordered, that a suitable Bell be provided at 
the Charge of the County, to be placed upon the Court House for 
the use of llie Courts of Justice here." 

Feb 10, 1752. £5. .7. .2 was paid to Robert Stone "in full of 
his account for the Courts sitting at his house in January last." 

May 13, 1752. Joshua AVinslow, Esq^, was paid £23.. 3.. 9 
for the bell he had provided, and ]\Iiddlecott Cooke was " desired 
to fix said Bell on the Hoof of tiio Court house, in such manner as 
he shall think proper." 

Jany. 2, 1753. " Ordered, that the Sheriff of the County be 
directed to purchase a Dutch Stove and fix the same in the Court- 
house for the Comfort and Convenience of the Court in their 
Sessions in the Winter Season." 

Jany. 28, 1754. " The Committee appointed the first day of 
this sitting of this Court, on the Memorial of Tiiomas Iliilchiuson, 
Esq., Judge of Probate, reported that they had Viewed tlie Land 
in s"" memo, mention'd, and were of Opinion that a Convenient 
Brick Building for the Probate Office might be erected in the front 
of said Land, adjoining to the County Gaol, and thereupon It is 
Orderetl that John Fayerwcatlier, Joshua Winslow and Joseph 
Dowse, Esq", be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to 
Erect a Brick Building on said Lantl for an Ollice for tlie Judge 
of Probate for this County, and tli;it they do it in the most con- 
venient manner and at tlie cheapest Kate they can." 

Dec. 3, 1754. The committee reported that they had built and 
completed said ollice for the Judge of Probate. The expense 
seems to have been about £250. 

Mav lllh, 175G. 



APPENDIX L. 177 

"The Petition of John Payne and John Cotton Registers of the 
Court of Probate, for the County of Suffolk — Setting forth Tliat 
the AValls of the Ollice of said Court wore so damp tliat your 
Petitioners apprehend they Endanger their liealtii thereby and 
that tlie papers & Records of said Ollice arc very much exposed 
to the dust and Rot more especially since they have Made use of 
Sea Coal firing, they further beg Leave to Represent to this Court 
that they are at Considerable expense in providing Coals which 
they humbly apprehend Ougiit to be a County Charge, and are 
Informed is so with Regard to the Clerks Office of the Court of 
General Sessions of the peace for the sd County. And Your 
petitioners would hope that they are equally Entituled thereto, and 
therefore prays that the Court wou'd have Consideration thereof, 
"Which Pett". was Preferd to the Court in January last, at Which 
time Joshua Winslow and Joseph Dowse Esq" were appointed a 
Committee to make Enquiry into the Necessity thereof, & make 
report to the next Court, Which they have Accordingly done, in 
the Words following 

" We the Subscribers being appointed to Mew tlie OfTico within 
mentioned are of 0[Mnion tliat it AVould be of Service to have 
Glass doors placed before the Uooks and papers, also to have the 
lower part of the Wall lin'd with Boards, Also some alteration in 
the Chimney, — Which Report after being Read to the Court Was 
Accepted by them, and Joshua Winslow and Joscpli Dowse Esq" 
are desired to see that the Several things Reported, be done." 



It will thus be seen that the first movement towards separating 
the Courts from the Town House was to build an otlice for tlie 
Judge of Probate on land near the Jail, in 17.")4. 

This hind was set aside for puhlic use at the original settlement 
of the town, and called the Prison lot. The lot wiui liounded by 



178 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

the street now Court street, with house-lots east and west of it. 
The annexed engraving shows the relative position of the lots, 
but evidcntl}- the strip from School street to Court street, covered 
by our present City Hall and Court House, has always been used 
for public purposes. 

THE JAIL. 

I am not aware of any description of the .Jail as it stood until 
17G6. 

The following extracts from the Court Records show tlie pro- 
ceedings in regard to the rebuilding of the .Tail : — 

Tuesday the thirtieth day of July A.D. 17G5. 

Ordcr'd tliat Samuel "Welles Samuel Watts Foster Hutchinson 
John Ruddock and William Story Esq", be and they hereby are 
appointed a Committee to Consider what is best for the Court to 
do, with respect to building a new Court house, & new Goals, & 
report their Opinion thereon as soon as may be. 



Friday the 9"'. day of August A.D. 17G.5. 

The Committee appointed the 30"'. of July to Consider what is 
best for the Court to do with respect to tlie building a new Court- 
house and new Goals, report that they Judge it absolutely neces- 
sary that a new Court house and a new Goal should be built as 
speedily as may lie, and that llic Lauds belonging to the County 
whereon the Goal and other Uiiildiiigs staud are full sullicieut & 
convenient for that purpose,— After mature Di'liberalion tliereon, 

Ordcr'd that a New Goal for Criminals & Debtors be built on 
till' Lauds belonging to the County situate in Queen Street iu Bos- 
ton, and that the saiiu' New (ioal lie l)uill in the Kear of said 
Land, and to extend the W.dili thereof as near to the extreme 



APPENDIX L. 179 

bounds as conveniently may be, so as not to go on the East & 
West lines. 

Order'd that Samuel "Welles, Samuel Watts, Foster Huteliinson, 
John Ruddock & John Tudor Esq", be, and tiicy hereby are ap- 
pointed a Committee for building said new Goal, and they are de- 
sired to Provide the Jlaterials, Agree with tlie Workmen, and do 
ever}' thing necessary for Effecting the same, as soon as may be. — 
And said Committee are hereby directed & Impowered, if they 
find it most for the benefit of the County, to hire Moneys for car- 
rying on s''. Building & pay Interest for the same, & that the 
County shall be chargeable for repaying the same — The Consid- 
eration of Erecting a new Court house is rcferr'd over to the next 
Sessions. 

Joshua Henshaw Esq'. Treasurer of this County, Inform'd the 
Court, that his Acco'^ have been laid before the General Court 
at their last Session, & Approved of, and that it is necessary 
a New Tax should be laid on the several Towns in the County 
for defreying the Charges of the ensuing year. The Court taking 
the same into Consideration, as also the extraordinary Expence 
the County will be at in Erecting & Compleating a New Goal for 
Criminals & Debtors, Order that the sum of One Thousand five 
Dundred pounds lawful money be Rais'd for the purposes afore- 
said, and tliat the Clerks of this Court Issue Warrants to the 
several Towns in the County, for each Towns Proportion thereof 
according to the last Tax Act, the same to be paid in to the 
County Treasur}-, on or before the Last dny of Ma}' next. 

The Several Towns Proportion is as follows Viz'. 

Boston £818. .15. .10 Wrentham £54. .18. .4 

Roxbuiy 88. .18. .9 Brookline 24. .10.. 10 

Dorchester - - - - 55.. Needham 22. .10.. — 

Milton 30. .11. .8 Stoughton 48. .18. .4 



180 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

Riaintroe 70. .16. .8 Medway 20.. 2. .1 

Wcymoutli ;^.5..13..4 Belliiigham 12. .3. .4 

Hiiighain ----- 72..7..G Hull - 7.. 

Dedhain 0-2..7..G Walpole 21..7..G 

Medfield 28. .9. .7 Clu-lsea 19..8..9 

Fifteen Hundred Piiunds in the whole. — 
Warrants issued August 15"": 17G5. 



Tuesday the sixteenth da}' of April A.D. 1766 

Stephen Greenleafe Esq''. Slierifif of this County mov'd that .*» 
Committee may be appointed to Inspect the County Goals as the 
same were much out of repair, Order'd that the Committee ap- 
pointed to Erect a new Goal, be desir'd to Examine s*. Goals, & 
do what they shall Judge necessary for the present in rei)airing 
the same. 



Tuesday the eighth day of July A.D. 17G6. 

Order'd that Stei)heu Greenleafe Esq'. Sheriff of this County 
forthwith remove all such persons as are now confiu'd in the 
Stone Goal in this County into the wooden Go:d, & there secure 
'cm in the best manner lie can, & there keep 'em inilil Ihey are 
set at liberty by this Court, or otherwise by Order nf Law, & for 
which this Order shall Justify the Sheriff, — it being found abso- 
liitelv nccessarv to talie down said Stone (^.oal. 



Tuesday tiie twenty Seventh day of .January A.D. 17G7. 

Order'd that the sum of Five Hundred Pounds be paid out of 
the County Treasury unto Samuel AVelles Samuel Watts Foster 



APPENDIX L. 181 

Hutchinson John Ruddock & John Ruddock & John Tudor Esq", 
the Committee appointed by this Court to build the new Goal, to 
Enable them to carry on tiie same the said Committee to be ac- 
countable to tliis Court for that sum. 



January 27, 1707 

Ordered that the sum of twenty four pounds seventeen shillings 
& seven pence, lawful money, be allowed and paid out of the 
County Treasury unto Isaac Braddish, under keeper of His Maj- 
esty's Goal in Cambridge in the County of Middlesex, it being for 
the Subsistence of several prisoners in said Goal, who were by 
Order sent from the Goal in this County to Cambridge Goal, dur- 
ing the time the new Goal was in building, as by said Braddish's 
account which has been Examined bv the Court and is on file. 



Tuesday the fourth day of October A.D. 1768. 

Order'd that Joshua Winslow Edmund Quincy & Belcher Noyes 
Esq", be and they hereby- are appointed a Committee to Audit the 
Aceompts of Samuel Welles, Samuel Watts, Foster Hutchinson, 
John Ruddock & John Tudor Esq", the Committee appointed by 
this Court on the ninth day of August 17G5. for building a New 
Goal, & they are desir'd to make report of their doings thereon, 
after they have compleated the same. 



Under date of May 2, 17G'J, a committee was appointed to audit 
the account of the New Gaol in Queen street, which was " begun 
the twelfth day of August 17CG and finished the twenty day of 
March 1767." They reported the whole cost to be £3466. . 13. .9^. 

But prior to this settlement the new Gaol had been greatly in- 



182 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

jured by a fire, set, as was reported, by the prisoners. Tbe record 
is as follows : — 

" Suffolk ss. At a Court of General Sessions of peace held at 
Boston within and for the County of Suffolk, by Adjournment, on 
Tuesday the thirty first day of January AD 17GS). — 

" His Majesty's Justices present — viz'. — 

" "Whereas the Inside part of the New Goal lately built was in 
the Night following the thirtyelh current intirely Consumed by 
Fire, no part tlierof but the stonewalls being left, and this Court 
judging it absolutely necessary that the same should be Rebuilt as 
soon as maj- be. Upon Consideration thereof Order that Joshua 
Winslow Foster Hutchinson & John Tudor Esq' be and they 
hereby are appointed a Committee to Rebuild said Goal, to provide 
the Material, Employ the Workmen, and do whatever they shall think 
best for — compleating the same as soon as may be, and the said 
Committee are hereby directed and fully Irapowered (if Ihey think 
fit) to hire monies for carrying on said Goal, and pay interest for 
the same, and that tlie county shall be chargeable for such sums 
as they shall so borrow and the Interest thereof and the Treasurer 
of the Countj' for the time being is hereb3- directed to pay all 
such monies as said Committee shall borrow, and the Interest that 
shall become due thereupon. 

" Order'd that Bridewell house in the Town of Boston be the 
common Goal of the County, until such time as the above Goal is 
rebuilt, and the above Com'"', arc hereby directed to make such 
Repairs & Alterations as may l)e necessary for the safe Custody 
of all such Persons as shall l)e there coramilted. 

" Order'd that the Sheriff of this County provide Cloathing & 
such other things as may be necessary' for the comfort and 
support of such poor Prisoners as were in the Goal when the same 
took fire, some of 'em being much luirnt, & that he bring in his 
acco' thereof to this Court for allowance." 



APPENDIX L. 183 

Oct. IGth, 1770, the auditing Committee on the rebuilding of the 
Giiol reported that the whole cost of the repairs was £1043. .19. .4, 
and £30 additional was allowed to the Committee in charge of the 
work. 



Pemberton, in 1791, writes: " The now Stone Jail is a large, 
commodious building, and stands on the ground where formerly 
was a wooden building called the Debtor's Jail, a little back from 
Court (formerly Queen) street. The inside was set on fire by 
some prisoners confined in it, the 30th June,' 1769. It has since 
been repaired, is three stories in height, and is divided into three 
parts with brick partitions, cased with plank and iron. The 
upper storj- is appropriated to debtors. The entrance to the Jail 
is by three strong doors in front." 

Shaw, in 1817, adds that the Jail was 90 feet long and 23 feet 
broad and was four stories high. 

This building was in use until 1822, when the Jail in Leverett 
street was finished and occupied. Snow says that " in 1823 the 
old gaol was taken down and its materials were partly used in 
constructing the Gun House and Ward Room on Thatcher Street." 

In 1851 or 1852 this Jail was given up and the present large, 
stone building was erected on Charles street.' 



From this necessary digression we will now return to the history 
of the Court buildings. 

' This was a clerical error for January. — W. II. W. 

' The'following extract from Boweu'B Picture of Bontou, 1S29, gives a description of the 
Jail which 1 have not met with elsewhere. 

COURT HOUSE, JAII,, AND HOUSE OF CORRECTION. 

** The County Jail in Leverett Street and the House of Correction eounecteti with it, and 
the Municipal Court House, are three separate edifices, all of which are iiandsonie stone 
buildings. Perhaps there is not a building in the world made more secure. Tlie wails and 



184 OLD STATE HOUSE KE-DEDICATION. 



THE COUNTY COURT HOUSE. 

Soon after the completion of the Jail, in 1767, it was decided 
to erect a Court House in the same neighborhood. 

For this purpose the Probate building was demolished in 1768. 

floors are compoBcdof large blocks of hewnstonc, which are firmly bound together with iron; 
and between the courscB looBe cannon balltt are placed in caviUce made h:ilf in the upper 
and half in the lower blocks, as a further security. Several years clapued after these were 
commenced, before they were lininhcd and occupied, which wan in ISi'i. 

•* Before leaviuy Ibis subject it may be proper to say hoiuething that will convey an idea 
of the internal economy and regulations of these abodes of wrelcheduess. The inmates of 
the Iloiise of Correction are generally sent there by the Police Court, though many are 
ordered there by the Municipal Court. A great proportion of this clasB of prisoners are 
confirmed drunkards, — or notorious for their disorderly and immoral lives. The women, 
from very young girls to those of an advanced age, who are Bometimes collected there, are 
mostly employed in making men*B clothing, excepting one day In the week, which Is set apart 
for washing. They are kept orderly, under the care of experienced mauugcrs of such people, 
and their work is laid out and superintended by females of good character. The men, con- 
fined in the House of Correction, are ordinarily employed in breaking stone, suitable for 
repairing and Macadamizing the streeti*. They work with a ball and chain, generally, if 
DotoriouHly bad, to prevent escape. In cold or rainy weather, they pick oakum In the middle 
etory of the Jail. These prisoners are under the immediate charge of a careful man, wboeo 
humanity towards these unhappy creatures is greatly to be praised. The debtors, In close 
priaon, occupy the rooms in the third story of the Jail, where they are acceesible by their 
friends, at all hours of the day, by steps leading to a balustrade under the windows. 

*' Prisouers who are waiting trial, as well as those who have been condemned, are princi- 
pally lodged on the lower floor of the Jail. The food of the prisoners cunsists, principally, 
of fresh beef, flour bread, and a kind of broth, technically called skilly, nuide by thickening 
the liquor in which the meat haB been boiled, with Indian meal. In case of sickness, 
however, a diet is directed by the physician, according to the wants and necessities of the 
individual. The aged aud infirm, aa well as those who arc debilitated by intemperance or 
dlseaae, are allowed tea, rice, broths, &c., daily, besides other comforts, which it were 
unnecessary to particularize. A physician whose salar>' Is fixed by the Hoard of Accounts 
at $200 ]>er annum, visits the prison dally, uud prescribes according to his best Hklll and 
Judgment. The apothecary room, though small, hiis a well-assorted case of medicines. In 
Ibis room a diet book is regularly made out, for the sick of the day. The directors also hold 
their meetings in the same room, on the afternoon of each Monday. Religious ser^ices 
are held in one or both prisons, every Sabbath, l»y pious phUanthropic divines. The Im- 
mediate responsibility of the wliole devolves on the jailor, Mr. Badlam, whoso character, 
as a discreet and liumane man, and as a superlutendent over tlils necessary, but gloomy 
reservoir of misery, has long been acknowledged by the community." 



APPENDIX L. 185 

The foUowiug extracts from the Court Records show the prog- 
ress of the enterprise : — 

Tuesflay the fifth day of May A.D. 1767 . 

The Comniittee appointed the "21*'. of October last, to make 
Application to the General Court relating to the huiUUng a now 
Courthouse, reported that they had Prefer'd a Memorial to the 
General Court, & Confer'd with their Committee concerning it, 
but said Court has not yet done any thing thereon, It is thereupon 
Ordcr'd tliat said Committee be desir'd to make such further 
Application to said Court for bringing this Affair to some final 
determination, as they shall think necessary & Proper & Report 
thereon to this Court. 



"Wednesday the 12"'. day of June A.D. 1767. 

The Committee appointed to make further Application to the 
General Court about building a new Court house, report that since 
the last .sitting of this Court, they had Preferr'd another Memorial 
to the Court, & being largely heard — thereupon in tiie lion'''". 
house of Representatives, but are Informed that the house have 
done nothing thereupon. 



Tuesday the eleventh day of August A.D. 17G7. 

Order'd that the sum of Five pounds eight Shillings and eight 
pence be allowed & Paid out of the County Treasury unto 
William Baker, in full of liis Acco'. for ringing the Courts Hell, 
sweeping the Court Ciiamber &°. for a year past, as bj' his Acco'. 
wliieh has beeu Exam'', by a Committee & is on file. 

Joshua Ilenshaw Esq'. Treasurer of this County Informed the 
Court that his Acco". were laid before the General Court at their 
last Session & approv'd of ; ifc Pray'd the Court will now <kteinilne 
upon the Sum necessary to be rais'd for ilefreying the Espences 



186 OLD STATE HOUSE UE-DEDICATION. 

of the County, Upon Consideration hereof It is Agreed & Deter- 
miii'd by the Court, that it will be necessary to raise the sum of 
Fifteen hundred I'ouuds by a Tax on the several Towns in the 
County, for coinpleatiug the new Goal & paying the other usual 
Charges of the County, And It is hereby Order'd that the Clerks 
of this Court Issue Warrants to the Several Towns in the 
County for Each Towns proportion thereof, according to the 
last Provincial Tax Act, the same to be paid into the County 
Treasury on or before the last day of May next. 
The Several Towns Proportion is as follows — Viz'. 

Boston £818 ,, 1.5 ,, 10. Brookline £24 ,, 10 „ 10 

Eoxbury 88 ,, 18 „ 9. Neodhaui 22 „ 10 ,, — 

Dorciicster 55 - Stouglilon 32 ,, ID ,, 10 

Milton ;]G ,, 1 1 ,, 8. Mcdway 20 „ 2 „ 1 

Braintrcc 70 ,, 10 ,, 8. ]$ellingham 12 ,, 3 „ 4 

Weymouth 35 ,, 13 ,, 4. Hull 7 

Ilingham - 72 ,, 7 ,, 6. Walpole 21 ,, 7 ,, 6 

Dedhara 62,, 7,, G. Chelsea 19,, 8,, 9 

Medfield 28 ,, 9 ,, 7. Stoughtonham ) 

^ V 15 „ 8 „ 6 

Wrentham 54 ,, 18 ,, 4. District j 

Fifteen Hundred Pounds, in the whole. 

Warrants issued August 14 : 17C7. 



Tuesday the 26"'. day of .launary, .V.l). 176.S. 

The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, 
praying that the wooden Shop adjoyuing to the Probate Ollice 
in C^ueen Street may be removed, they apprehending said Ollice 
to be mucli endanger'd by Fire, in case said Shop is suffer'd 
to remain tliere anv longer. It is thereupon Order'd that the 



APPENDIX L. 187 

Sheriff of this County take care tliat said Sliop be immodiatcly 
taken down or removed to some other place distant from said 
oflice. 



Wednesday the fourth day of May A.D. 1768. 

Order'd that the Brick Building Erected a few years since 
on the Land belonging to the County near the Goal in Boston, 
for an Office for the Court of Probate, be taken down, for the 
better Accommodation & Convenience of A New Court house. 

Whereas the Chamber wherein the several Courts of Justice 
within this County have set for a great number of years past, is 
too small, & has been found to be very inconvenient & uncomfort- 
able to the Judges, the Gent", of the Bar, the Jurors, AVitnesses, 
& Parties concern'd, & all others that are necessarily Obliged to 
attend said Courts, & it having been intimated that said Chamber 
will greatly accomodate the General Court or Assembly that 
usually Sit in said house : And this Court having several times 
taken this Affair into Consideration, & relying upon the Justice of 
the General Court in making such an Allowance to the County for 
said Chamber, & such other Parts of said house which belong to 
the County, as shall be equitable, now Determine, And It is 
hereby Order'd that a New Courtiiouse within the Town of Bos- 
ton, for the Several Courts of Justice to Sit in, be Erected as 
soon as may be, and that Joshua Wiiislow Foster Hutchinson & 
John Tudor Esq", be and they hereby are appointed a Committee 
to Erect an handsome Brick Building on the Lands Belonging to 
the County in Queen Street in Boston (on part whereof tlie old 
stone Goal lately stood) for the several Courts of Justice within 
this County to Sit in, that a large Comodious Chamber be assigned 
for said Courts, and that on the lower Floor of said Building, s"". 
Committee Assign & Sett off such Parts of it, for the Probate 



188 OLD STATE HOUSE KE-DEDICATION. 

Office, for the Register of Deeds, & for the Clerks of the Court of 
General Sessions of the Peace, & Courts of the Comuu Pleas, as 
they shall Judge to l)e necessary & convenient for their respective 
Offices ; And said Committee are desired & Impower'd to do what- 
ever else tiiey shall Judge Proper for compleating the same in 
such a manner, as to make it most convenient : And It is further 
Order'd that said Building shall not exceed the dimensions fol- 
lowing Viz' : Of Sixty foet in length, & forty feet in breadth from 
outside to Outside, and said Committee are directed to make Re- 
port of their Doings hereon to this Court, as soon as may be, after 
s**. Courthouse is finisli'd. 

Order'd that Joshua Winslow Foster Hutchinson & John Tudor 
Esq", the Committee appointed by this Court, to Erect the new 
Courthouse be and they hereby are directed and impower'd, (if 
they shall Judge it necessary) to hire Monies for carrying on said 
Building, and Pay Interest for the same, aud that the County 
shall be chargeable, for such sums as they shall borrow & the In- 
terest thereof, and the Treasurer of the County for the time being 
is hereby directed to pay all such Monies as said Committee shall 
borrow, and the Interest that shall become due thereupon. 



" At a Court of General Sessions of the Peace, began and 
held at Boston, within and for the County of Suffolk, on the third 
Tuesday of April, being the eighteentli day of said month, An- 
iKKpie Dom., 1709, being the first Sessions in new Court house in 
Queen Street," etc., etc. 

May 1, 1770, the Committee appointed on the 30th of Jan- 
uary previous to examinine the accounts of the building reported 
the whole cost to be £2373..17..105 lawful money aud llio 
Committee in cliarge of building was paiil the further sum of 
£45. 



APPENDIX L. 189 

Dr. Moore states^ that tradition affirms that Gov. Bernard de- 
signed these buildings, his authority being William Sullivan, in 
his address to the Suffolk Bar. Dr. Moore also points out that 
after the construction of the new Court House the offices of the 
clerks of the Supreme and Inferior Courts remained in the Town 
House, and that at the beginning of each term the Judges robed 
themselves there and marched in procession, followed by the bar, 
to the Court House. 

This custom he finds in use in 1785, and possibly later. - 
Mayor Otis speaks of it as a well-known custom. 

This Court House, long distinguished as the County Court 
House, remained in use for a little over forty ^ears. Then a di- 
vision of oifices was made, and by Chap. 73 of Acts of 1809 
(dated March 1, 1810), the Justices of the Court of Common 
Pleas for Suffolk were empowered to purchase any lands between 

1 Moore's *' ExamiDaUon," etc., 1887, pp. 17, 20, 21. 

* The foUowiDg items from the Court Records seem to relate lo this building : — 

Oct. 1, 1771, "Ezebiel Goldthwait, Esq. having made a Present to this County of his 
Majesty's Arms, Carved Gilt and Painted in a handsome manner, in order to bo placed in 
the County Court Room, — the Justices of this Court Thanked Mr. Goldthwait for the 
same in Open Court, and Ordered that a Record thereof be made.'* 

There are various bills ordered to be paid for the use of a room by a Grand Jury; but 
January 5, 1773, "John Hill, John Tudor aud Kdmund Quincy, Esq"* are appointed a 
Committee to cause the Room adjoining to the Probate Office on the lower floor of the 
^ew Court House to be enlarged and made Convenient for the Grand Jurors of the County 
to sit and do Business." 

April, 1773, John Hill and John Tudor were appointed " to cause two Pillars to be placed 
under the Gallery In the Court Room." 

Oct. 7, 1777, "the Court give leave to the Committee of Correspondence of Boston to 
Occupy the Room at the Southwest Comer of the Court house till furtlicr order." 

It may be a matter of doubt whether these Inst two items do not rather refer to the 
Court room retained in the Town House. The *' southwewt corner" and the "gallery" 
are familiar terms in the latter connection. 

Dr. Moore has shown that the gallery mentioned ante, p. 62, was existent tn 1787 and 
In 1792. No research thus fur, however, has succeeded tn defining the exact location 
thereof, or in settling the question whether the floor was open to the southwest aud cen- 
tral window on the west end, under the gallery. 



UK) OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

Court street and Scliool street, in Boston, for erecting a Conrt 
House for said county, and making proper avenues to and around 
the same, to sell or exchange any land there belonging to the 
county and to borrow money and build a Court House. 

The building tluis authorized was [)roinptly erected and occu- 
pied mainly by the County and State Courts. But the old 
building still remained, and its history will be traced to the 
end. 

Femberton, in 1794, thus describes it: — 

" The new Court House is built on the front of the said street, 
partly on the ground where the old stone jail stood, which made 
an uncouth aiipearance and was taken down. It is a large, hand- 
some building of brick, three stories high, and has on the roof an 
octagon cupola. The lower floor is used partly for walking, and 
has on it the probate office and the office of the county registrar 
of deeds. In the second story, Ihe floor of which is supported 
by pillars of the Tuscan order, are held the courts of law. In 
the second and third stories are convenient rooms for the grand 
and petit jurors, and for offices." 

Shaw, in 1817, writes of the old Court House : — 

" It is a handsome building of brick, three stories high, and 
lias on the roof an octagon cupola, in which is a bell. On the 
lower floor are the offices of the United Slates District Marshal, 
Sheriff of the County, Clerk of the Municipal Court, the Provi- 
dent Institution or Saving Bank, and several private offices. In 
the second story, the floor of which is supported by pillars of the 
Tuscan order, arc held the Circuit and District Courts of the 
United States for the Massachusetts District, and the office of the 
District Clerk. In the third story are convenient rooms for 
jurors, &c." 

Evidently, from about 1810 to 1840, this old building was sub- 
stantially the United States Court House. A view of the front 



APPENDIX L. 191 

will be seen iu Salmon's view from Pcmbcrtou Hill ia 1829, given 
liieviously in this volume. 

In 1831 or 1832 this old brick Court House was torn down, 
the corner-stone of the new building on the site being laid Sep- 
tember 28, 1833, and it was completed December 20, 1836. 

The cost was about Sl79,000, and in 1839 a further sum of 
S17,000 was appropriated for the street around the building. The 
Court House was 176 feet by 54, as first erected, and the annexed 
view shows its shape.' Later, in December, 18G0, the order was 
passed for a loan, and au addition was made at the west end of 
the lot of some thirty-six feet, leaving it on its present form. It 
was completed Dec. 31, 18G1. 

As is well known the city is now building a new and magnifi- 
cent Court House on the westerly and northerly side of Pemberton 
square, which will probably be ready for occupancy in 1890. At 
present the Court House is overflowing, and some courts are held 
in halls hired by the city. 



But from 1810 to 1836 the city had another Court House in 
contemporaneous use; besides the Municipal Court Room in 
Leverett street, adjoining the Jail, from 1822 onwards. 

TUE SCHOOL-STUEET COUUT HOUSE. 

In 1810, as we have seen, a stone Court House was built on the 
site now covered by City Hall. 

> The Uuitcd States Courtf, which hod been held in BiirristGrB' Baildiog during the change, 
were returut-d to the new building. Owing to the incidcnta connected with the fugitive 
slave trial, the city uotitied the Court* to leave, and January 1, 1855, they weut to the Park- 
man house iu Bowdoin square. Special trials were held in various halls, as the Tremont 
Temple and Chapman Hall. Thence these Federal Courts were removed In August, 1S.',9, to 
the Masonic Temple building, on the corner of Temple place and Treraont street; and. in 
May, 1885, the Federal Courts were removed to the new Post.Office building, where they 
now are established. 



192 OLD STATE HOUSE KE-DEDICATION. 

In 1817, Shaw thus describes it: "The New Court House is 
140 feet loug, consists of an octagon centre 55 feet wide, two 
stories, two wings of three stories, 26 by 40 feet, connected by 
the entrance and passages to the centre ; contains two court-rooms 
in the centre, one smaller in one wing. Probate Offlce, Register of 
Deeds, Clerks of Supreme and Common Pleas Court, rooms for 
Judges and Law Library, rooms for Grand and Petit Juries. The 
cost of this building was $98,817.16." 

The annexed view from the " Polyanthus" for September, 1813, 
shows its appearance. The low building in front, on the spec- 
tator's left, was occupied by a fire-engine, the " Extinguisher." 

Snow, in his history, writes, in 1826 : " The lower story of the 
centre is improved by the Registrar of Deeds and Clerk of the 
C.C.P. ; the second story by the County Courts ; and the upper 
by the Common Council of the city. The Mayor and Aldermen's 
room is in the upper story of the western wing ; under that arc the 
ofTices of the Auditor and City Marshal ; and on the lower floor 
tiie Probate Office. In the eastern wing are the offices of the 
Clerk of the S.J. Court-rooms, for the judges, and for the juries, 
and one occupied Ijy the Law Library." 

Snow endeavored vainly to designate this building as "Johnson 
Hall." The annexed view is copied from an illustration in his 
book. 

Undoubtedly during the three years required for the ribuilding 
of tlie Court House on Court street, viz., 1833-1836, the Courts 
were held in the School-street building. 

Bowen, in his Picture of Boston, 1829 (p. 80), thus describes 
the building : — 

" It is, in fact, our City Hall, being principally occupied for 
municipal purposes. This building was erected in IMO, the ma- 
terials of which are of white granite, with a stone or brick floor 
for the first story. It is 140 feet long, consists of an octagon 




Iillii;£;,i||l!ii!!lill!lll!:iair 





APPENDIX L. 193 

centre 55 feet wide, two stories, two wings of three stories, 26 by 
40 feet, connected by the entrance and passages to tlie centre ; 
contains two large halls or court-rooms in tlie centre, one smaller 
in one wing, Oftices of Probate, Register of Deeds, Clerics of 
Supreme and Common Pleas Courts, rooms for Judges and Law 
Library, rooms for Grand and Petit Juries. The board of Alder- 
men and Common Council bold their sessions in this building; 
and the offices of the Mayor, Citj- Clerk, City Auditor, City Mar- 
shall, and Superintendent of Burial Grounds, are also kept here. 
The cost of the building to the county was $92,817.16." 

Boston became a citj' May 1, 1822, when the City Government 
was inaugurated in Faneuil Hall. The Mayor, City Council, and 
some of the city officers found accommodations in this Court 
House ; but, in 1830, they removed to the Old State House. For 
the next tL'n years, until 1840, the Court House seems to have 
reverted to its original uses, as Bowen, in 1838, does not mention 
any other occupants. The transfer of the building for use as a 
City Hall, as hereinafter mentioned, in 1840, of course terminated 
its existence as a Court House. From tliat date the terra has 
been confined to the building on Court street and Court square. 

The Police Court, which held its first session June 20, 1822, 
was accommodated in tlic Court House in Leverett street, as was 
also the Municipal Court, established June 2, 1800. Both were 
removed to the present Court House, January 1, 1837 ; and both 
were reorganized July 2, 1866, the Police Court as tlie Municipal, 
and the old Municipal as the Superior Court. 

"We see that from 1810 to 1840 therefore, Boston had ample 
accommodation for its courts, having most of the time three build- 
ings for the purpose. 



li)4 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 



TIIK CITY HALL. 

As is well known, Boston was tlie first city established in this 
State. At a town meeting on .January 2, 1822, the vote in favor 
of applying for a city government resulted, yeas 2,805, nays 
2,000. An act was passed, approved b^- Governor Brooks, 
February 23, 1822, which was to be void if not accepted within 
twelve days. The vote stood on March 4, 1822, yeas 2,797, 
nays 1 ,881, a majority of 916. 

On May 1, 1822, the City Government was inaugurated ia 
Fancuil Hall, John Phillips being the Mayor, and after retiring 
therefrom " the members of the respective boards met in separate 
rooms." ' The records of the Common Council show that it 
organized in the Selectmen's room, and adjourned to meet in the 
Supreme Court room. Jlay G the Council appointed a committee 
to prepare a room forthwith. No report or entry on the records 
show what room they obtained, but it seems beyond doubt that it 
was in the School-street Court House. 

Their records for 182.3 show that in the autumn of that year a 
committee spent about $1,000 in fitting up the hall of the Conunon 
Council, and that it was a room which had been in use as a Court 
room. The clerk's desk was a table borrowed from the room of 
the Supreme Court. The Auditor's report 1822-3 shows some 
$450 spent on furniture for the Mayor and Aldermen's room. 

By an ordinance passed December 20, 1824, the following rooms 
were assigned to the city officers : — 

1. City Treasurer, in the room at the westerly end of the old 
State House. 

2. City Clerk, in the Maj-or and Aldermen's room. 

3. Auditor, at the westerly end ol' the Court House, south side. 

4. Health Commissioners, Superintendent of Buryiug-Grounds, 

' Qulucy'a UUlory, [i. U. 



APPENDIX L. 195 

and City Marshal, iu the room at the westerl}- end of the Court 
House, north side. 

5. Clerk of the Common Council and the Captain of the Watch, 
in tiie room in the brick building opposite the south-west door of 
the Court House. 

6. Assessors, in the room on the easterly end of Faneuil Hall, 
on the soutli side. 



In September, 1820, on the petition of Sheriff Sumner, a com- 
mittee was appointed to confer with Judge Ward to make any 
necessary changes in the Common Council Chamber, so as to 
accommodate the Court of Common Pleas. 

Snow, in 182G, thus describes the building and occupants: 
" The lower story of the centre is improved by the Registrar of 
Deeds and Clerk of the C. C. P. ; the second story by the County 
Courts ; and the upper by the Common Council of the city. The 
Mayor and Aldermen's room is in the upper story of the western 
wing ; under that are the offices of tlic Auditor and City Mar- 
shal ; and on the lower floor the Probate Office. In the eastern 
wing are the offices of the clerk of the S. J. Court rooms, for 
the judges, and for the juries, and one occupied by the Law 
Librar}'," 

In his inauguiid address, in .January, 1827, JIayor Quincy, 
speaking in tiie County Court House, apparently in the Counc-il 
Chamber,' advised changes. 

Ho said, " Nothing can be more inconvenient for faciiiUiting 
business than the location of our public offices. The Mayor and 
Aldermen, City Clerk, Auditor and Officer of Police, are in one 
building. The assistant City Clerk in another.- The Treasurer in 

* Quincy*B History, p. 403. 

^Tbi^ waft Ihc Clerk of the Coinmou Couucil. 



196 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

a third. The Assessors, Overseers of the Poor, and Directors of 
the House of Industry, in a fourth." 

lie recommended a fwe-proof building at the western end of 
Faneuil Hall, which would cost less than the proposed new Court 
House. He added that " a room as extensive in point of size 
as that at present occupied by the Supreme Judicial Court might 
be prepared in this building (the County Court House) for 
the courts of the United States; and the present room, occupied 
by the Common Council, might be reserved for the Common 
Pleas." 

Bowen, in his "Picture of Boston," 1829, describes matters in 
1828. He says : — 

" The Mayor and Aldermen's room is a plain but convenient 
apartment in the third story of the west wing of the Stone Court 
House, Court square, in School street. A railing runs across the 
niidillo dividing it into two divisions : — the south side being for 
the accommodation of visitors, who are provided with settees. Tlie 
north side has an elevated floor, which is carpeted. Tlie chairs 
and tables are so arranged as to make half a circle ; the Mayor's 
chair in the centre and raised above the others. 

" The Common Council hold their sessions in the same building 
with the Board of Aldermen. The council room is in the third 
story and in the centre of the building. The President's seat is 
elevated at one side of the room, and the seats for the members 
are very conveniently arranged, having a gradual ascent from 
front to rear. 

" The Cit}- Clerk's office is in the Mnyor and Aldermen's room." 
The Clerk of the Common Council has an office " in a small brick 
building in Court square. Salary $800 a year besides the fees for 
publishing the banns of matrimony. He attends to that duty 
every Thursday, immediately as the boll ceases to tull lor the 
stated lecture of the Boston Ministerial Association." 



APPENDIX L. 197 

The City Treasurer's office "is in tlie second story of the west 
end of the Old State House." 

The City Marshal's office " is kept on the second floor of the 
west wing of the Court House in School street." The Auditor's 
office " is in the Court House, School street." 

The Assessors' office " is in Faueuil Hall." The Overseers of 
the Poor have an office " in the second stor3- of Faueuil Hall." 

The School Committee meet in the Mayor's office. The office of 
the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department is " in the Old Court 
House, Court street." 

The Probate office " is kept in the basement story of the west 
wing of the Stone Court House." The office of the Register of 
Deeds is "in the centre of the same building with the Probate 
office, on the first floor." 



It seems, then, that from 1822 to 1830 the city offices were dis- 
tributed in various buildings, but the Stone Court House took the 
place of a City Hall, since the City Council held its sessions there.' 
It seems probable, also, that the Aldermen's room was on the third 
story, taking the west wing, and the Coiuinon Council Hall was 
on the same story in the centre ; and that these rooms were so 
appropriated iu the summer of 1822, and continued in use until 
the removal in 1830 to the old State House. 

I have been unable to find any plans iu the archives of the City 
Architect showing the arrangement of rooms in this building be- 
fore 1830. There are a number of tlie sketches for the ])roi)osed 

1 Quite erroneously it ie stated io the " Aecouot of Laying the Corner Stone of the New 
City Ball, 136G," that Faueuil Hall was the first City Hall. It was here that the first city 
govenunent was organized, . . . and it continued to be occupied by the city otficcrs, till 
Sept. 17, ISSO, when the old State House was reinudetled. This statement is clearly contra 
dieted by the facts stated in the text. 



198 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

alterations in 1840, and some of the new Court House in Court 
square. 

STATE-STREET SITE. 

We have already seen that iu 1830 the city officers were re- 
movc'fl to tlio old State House, which for teu years was the City 
Hall. (A description is given, ante, pp. 113, 114, 115.) 

RETURN TO SCHOOL STREET, 1840. 

In 1839 the City Council appropriated S60,000 for the purchase 
of land in Court square and on School street, and $500 as a pre- 
mium for a plan for a new Cily Hall. City Doc. No. 9, of 1840, 
reports that thej' had plans from Asher Benjamin, Richard Bond, 
and G. J. F. Bryant, costing from $28,000 to §24,000, for altera- 
tions of the County Court House f«r this purpose ; one from 
Cornelius Coolidge for $25,000; one for 12,000 from a person 
unnamed, and one from Charles Iloath, for inside work, at 
$3,400. These plans, or some of about that date, are still pre- 
served in the City Architect's ofTice. We annex a view copied 
fioui tlie "Sketches of Boston," printed in 1851. An addition 
has since been built on the west end. 

None of these plans were adopted, but after a long dispute 
between the branches it was decided, July 27, 1840, to fit up the 
old Court House. " According to a third [jlan, keeping the en- 
trances as they now are, the i)rescnt stairs miglit be taken away, 
and new stairs carried u\> in the rear of tiie main p;irt of the 
building, conforming precisely, in the second ami tiiird stories, in 
all tlie arrangements to the plan heretofore submitted to the Coun- 
cil by Mr. Preston," and costing $9,47.'). To tiiis sum was to be 
added $3,000 lor an iron fence, and grading the land iu front; 
$1,000 for gas fixtures, and $1,000 for heating apparatus. 

On March 18, 1841, a convention of both branches was held 



APPENDIX L. 199 

to dedicate the new City Hall, aud the Mayor, Jonathan Chap- 
man, delivered an address. However convenient the Hall may 
have proved, there seems to have been very little pride evinced in 
its external appearance. At least, while nearly every other large 
building in the city has been made familiar to us by numerous en- 
gravings, probably tho only artistic picture of this Hall during its 
second civic occupancy is the one engraved by a German, F. 
Coth, in 1856, and published in Munich. This is only one of a 
series of views illustrative of Boston on one large plate. A re- 
production is annexed. A small wood-cut of the City Hall is, 
however, given on p. 29 of a guide-book published in 1865, 
entitled, " Boston Sights," edited by R. L. Midgley. A view 
also appears on the title-page of the Boston Directory from 
1853 to 1859. 

It is well remembered that the increase in the city's affairs soon 
rendered this City Hall too contracted for usefulness, and that 
measures were taken for constnicting a new building. A com- 
mittee, in 1862, submitted a plan, at an estimated cost of $160,000, 
and the corner-stone was laid Dec. 22, 1862. The size of the 
new building allowed the foundation and front wall to be erected, 
and prepared for the corner-stone, while the City Government 
occupied the old Citi' Hall. The last meeting of the Board of Al- 
dermen therein was on January 7, 1863; and on January 12 
the Board met at the Mechanics' Hall, on the corner of Bedford 
and Chaunc}' streets, where rooms had been hired for the City 
Council, and some departments. Here, then, was the actual City 
Hall for more than eighteen mouths, the last session of the 
Board there being on Saturday, September 16, 1865. On the 
Monday following, a convention of both branches was held at the 
New City Hall to dedicate it, and that building has since remained 
in use, although no longer capable of housing all the departments 
of the government under its roof. 



200 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

The estimated cost was $100,000, though no one expected that 
the expense would be covered by that sura. Some changes were 
made in the plan, but the great apparent increase in the price 
paid was caused by the premium on gold. Accordingly, the com- 
mittee in charge felt authorized to claim that the total expense of 
$505,191.12, as paid, was not owing to any extravagance or in- 
crease of plans. The exterior of the building has proved entirely 
satisfactory, and engraved views are numerous. 

In 1886 the city hired the estates Nos. 12 and 11 iJeacon 
street, belonging to the Lexington Buildings Association, and has 
brought together a number of city departments heretofore located 
in several buildings. 



ArrENDIX M. 201 



APPENDIX M. 



[prefatory note.] 

After the publication of the seoond edition of this memoiiiil 
volume, an interesting address, entitled " PrytaneumBostoniense,'' 
was delivered before the Bostouian Society, by Dr. George II. 
Moore, of New York. It contained many interesting additions to 
the text of this volume, but also put forth criticisms which 
seemed unfounded. Still, on account of the value of the whole 
production, leave was obtained from the author to reprint it as 
Appendix M, in the third edition of this volume ; and it was 
thought proper and necessary to print therewith a rejoinder 
in correction of apparent errors. 

Dr. Moore, on February 9, 188G, read a second paper before 
the Bostonian Society, and it was widely distributed. Tltis essay 
was much more distinctly controversial, and I therefore prepared 
and published a reply, addressed to and circulated among the 
members of that Society. This has called forth, in 1887, a 
third paper from Dr. Moore, exclusively devoted to an examina- 
tiou of my published statements. 

When the City Council, in the present year, directed a new 
edition of this volume to be published, I was in doubt as to the 
best course to pursue in regard to this published controversy. 

The first two papers were already in the preceding edition, but 
the subsequent numbers could, by no stretch of courtesy, be re- 
garded as of equal value. Moreover, I was unwilling to appear 



202 OLD STATE HOUSE KE-DEDICATION. 

to be using nn' position to reprint a pampblet for wliieh the city 
w;i.s in no waj- responsible. After careful consideration it seemed 
best to again reprint all the historical portions of Dr. Moore's first 
paper, and to state briefly the substance of his criticisms of the 
text of the Address contained in the foregoing pages. It will be 
found that tlie points in dispute are ludicrously few ; and, with one 
exception, of no importance. As the former appendix regarding 
the Court House has been rewritten, I have been able to correct 
my errors and omissions, and thereby to obviate the necessity of 
reprinting Dr. Moore's personalities. 

I would, however, say that Dr. Jloore's three papers are well 
worth perusal ])y any one interested in the details of the history 
of our venerable and honored building. I should have liked to 
reprint a few more of his facts from his second paper, but in their 
liiesent argumentative setting there is too little history and too 
much debate. 



Leaving out the questions connected with the transfer of the 
Courts from the old Stiite House to the new Court House, in 
17G9, Dr. Moore's charges of error seem to be 

1. In stating on p. 87 tiiat tiie trial of Capt. Preston and Lis 
soldiers was held in the Council Chamber. 

2. In stating in Appendix N ( ;5d edition, p. 201) that the 
colony bought out in 177(j the right of Suffolk County in a room 
in the old State House. 

3. That I thrice printed, as a quotation, the liliiiuler uf a 
writer who made the date of the biu-ning of the Gaol, June 30, 
17C9, instead of January/ 30tli, 17G1). 

4. The question as to the apportionment of the rooms on the 
second floor. 

As to the lirst, I may liave been in error, ahiiough Dr. Moore 



APPENDIX :\i. 203 

cites no antlioiity for the i)l:icc of tiinl. It may have been tlio 
new Court House in Court street ; but there are also previous 
precedents for the use of Keprescntatives' Hall for great trials. 

As to the second, I cheerfully confess that I mistook tlic order 
of the General Court to consider what was due the county for a 
real settlement. No doubt Dr. Moore is correct in saying that 
the matter was not then settled. 

As to the third, I cannot deny the clerical error. To be sure, 
on p. 208, I gave the true date and a full copy of tlie proceedings 
of the Judges on January 31, 17G9 ; but it was a grievous error; 
and the reader will be justified in thereafter doubling every date 
or statement of the wretched author. 



There remains for consideration, lastly, the really important 
question as to whctiier the halls in the Old State House are a 
proper and substantial reproduction of the rooms as they existed 
from 1748 to 1798. In his lirst paper. Dr. Moore made the fol- 
lowing condemnatory statement: — 

" No such division of the space on the second floor as tlic 
present existed at any time during the official use of the liuilding 
by tlic Legislature, Colonial, Provincial, Revolutionary, or State." 

After carefully considering everything that has been written on 
the subject by Dr. Moore, I find no evidence to justify any sikIi 
sweeping remark. He has no contemporary plan of the building 
or any story of it; no description not already given in the text: 
and at most only a few incidental references to details which are 
themselves capable of various interpretations. 

It is true that during the first twenty odd years a portion of 
the western end of the second floor was used as a Court room. 
It is true that a gallery was placed somewhere at the westerly end 
of Representatives' Hall, and tiiat a stair-case was in the north- 



204 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

westerly coiner. Rut it is also true that in 1770 a committee of 
the Legislature was empowered to make such changes iu this 
westerly end as thej' saw fit ; and, as no report of their doings in 
detail has been preserved, no one can say that they did not do just 
what has now been done, viz., carry the limits of the Imll to tiic 
outside walls. 

As to the more important question of the existence of the cen- 
tral stairway, giving access to the Council Chamber, Dr. Moore 
has produced no evidence. The weight of authority is all in favor 
of the fact tliat tlic Council Chamber was a square room, witli 
lobliics towards the centre of the building. Tlie architect who 
examined the timbers wiien they were all exposed, reports that in 
his opinion there is ample evidence of a central stairway anterior 
to l.SoO. After all the searches made in support of a hostile criti- 
cism, tills oiiiiiioii roiiiaiiis uiislir.kcii and authoritative. 

Tin: problem before the representatives of the city at the date of 
the recent restoration was to so repair and reconstruct tlie oli,l 
halls and approaches as to give a true idea of the former ap- 
pearance. Tlie committee, of course, was not as well informed of 
the facts as llie public now is after all the discussion of tiie sub- 
ject. But the committee was aware of the fact that during tlie 
fifty years of occupancy by the Legislature many temporary 
changes had been made. They knew that a gallery was built in 
the Ilall twenty years after its first opening; that for twenty 
years a part of tlie liall had been set off as a Court room, and 
then abandoned ; that a small lobby and staircase once occupied a 
part of tlie west end. Hut as no one period covered all tlie time, 
and as some choice must be made, they wisely decided to leave 
out these contradictory details, especially as the best authority 
seemed to indicate that the last stage of occupancy included a 
single hall on the westerly half. 

Tile future stuileiit will iloulilless wonder at the amount of 




liixiiciis' I'lan, |.s;iiJ. 



APPENDIX M. 205 

writing, not to say of feeling, eauseil by the action of tlie 
restorers of the lialls. He will be satisfied that the halls 
and stairways arc reasonably correct representations of the 
originals; and that where certainty was nnattainable, and the 
matter in doulit was trilling, the agents of the city did wisely 
in following the advice of their areliitect. Above all, a matter 
that reduces all of Dr. Moore's cavils to insignificance, it is 
beyond doubt or dispute that the four walls, the timbers, and 
the window-spaces are just what they were when they were first 
constructed, and that the legislative chambers occupied nearly 
the whole floor. After all disputes about stairways, when 
the visitor lauds upon the second floor he is within the same 
cubical space exactly that enclosed the Council and the 
Legislature of Massachusetts from 1747 to 1798. There has 
been no change of the boundaries, above, below, or on cither 
hand. The partitions nr.iy var\" a foot or two, but the scene 
is substantially the same. This inheritance remains to us to 
be kept for posterity, and it has no equal among all the other 
buildings connected with Kevolutionary events. So long as 
we can stand in the room which echoed to the eloquence of 
Quincy, Otis, C'ushiug, and the Adamses, we can afford to 
laugh at the carping critic who defies us to locate to an inch 
the position of the chairs whereon they sat. 

As the only evidence known to exist of the state of the 
building in 1830, tiie annexed facsimile of a plan made by 
Isaiah Rogers will be found of interest. The dotted lines 
represent pencil marks, and the reader can judge whether 
the architect in making his sketch was adapting existing 
walls to a new purpose or was making entirely new divisions 
of the entire floor. No description yet recovered throws the 
slightest light on this vital point. It must also be added 
that eveiy aiithoiity, save one casual newspaper comment at 



200 OLD STATE HOUSE ItE-DEOIOATION. 

tlie (late, agrees in calling the changes made in IS.'jO "repairs." 
The bills on file at Cit^' Hall give no warrant for supposing 
any great changes were made, and the amount of monej- ex- 
pended would not pay for any radical alteration inside the 
building. 

In conclusion I would say thai the items collected by Dr. 
Moore, though interesting, arc only supplementary to the main 
text, and that they do not supersede the necessity of such a gen- 
eral history of the building as I essayed. 

As to my oration, I beg leave to add that it was jirfpared in 
accoidance with a vote of the committee of the City Council, 
dated April 2'), 1882; and that it was delivered from a printed 
copy, June 29, 1882. The limited time at my disposal in prepar- 
ing it, or in revising it for the Memorial Volume, is my best 
excuse for any shortcomings. I wisli it were better ; but, had we 
waited for such an address as otlicrs could have prepared, I fear 
it would have been a funeral oration over the remains of our 
greatly threatened building. 

After the address had been jjrinted au<l made permanent in 
form, I did not feel justified in altering it, preferring lo add 
notes and appendices as new facts migiit be found. 

I feel constrained also to repeat the closing words of Appendix 
N of the last edition of this " Memorial," in regard to the great 
liberality displayed by the City Council of Boston in 1881 : " In 
view of the culpable negligence so often shown by national. State, 
or local authorities in tlie matter of preserving antiquarian relics, 
it was a most generous gift to the pulilic. The exjienditure of 
some thirty-five tliousand dollars outright and tiie sacrifice of 
several thousand dollars of annual income were an enlightened and 
almost unprecedented act by a city government. If the commit- 
tee fell short of the best use of its opportunities, it was not fioni 
lack of good intentions or industiv. Hut, in fact, the city was 



APPENDIX M. 207 

not deceived by its agents ; it has the most authentic important 
rulic of antc-rcvolutiouary days now in existence, and, whatever 
trilling faults may be discovered hereafter, the Old State House 
will stand as an indisputable proof of the wise liberality of tlie 
city of Boston." 

WILLIAM II. WIIITMORE. 



208 OLD STATE llOLSE JiE-DEDlCATION. 



KXTUACTS FROM AN ADDRESS ENTITLED " PRYTANEUM 
BOSTONIENSE," DELIVERED BY DR. GEORGE 11. MOORE, 
BEFORE THE BOSTONIAN SOCIETY, M.-VY 12, 1875. 



The fire of December 9th, 1717, left nothing of the second Court 
House but the bare walls ; and the Legislature which was sitting at 
the time speedily terminated the session, after requesting the 
Selectmen of Boston to secure those walls from the weather by 
causing them to be covered with boards in the best and cheapest 
manner. They sat four days after the fire, and being then pro- 
rogued to the 3d February, 1748, met on that day at Faneuil 
Hall, which had been promptly tendered by the Selectmen on the 
day of the fire for the service of the House. Governor Shirley, 
in his opening speech, duly reminded the General Court of tlie 
necessity for speedy action to repair or rebuild the Court House, 
and a week later the brisk debates commenced, of which the Orst 
result in the House of Representatives was a resolution that a 
Court House should be built in some other part of Ihe Province 
than the Town of Boston, provided the Court agree upon the 
place ; which was immediately followed by a resolution that Cam- 
bridge should be the place. 

On the two following days, February 11th and 12th, after a 
good deal of manoeuvring, tiie matter was reconsidered, and a 
special committee was appointed to examine and report what they 
might apprehend proper to be done respecting the repairing the 
late Court House or building a new house in such place as should 
appear most convenient. The chairman of that committee was 
the Speaker of the House, afterwards so conspicuous in history 
as Governor Hutchinson, ami I may say at once that it was to him 
more tlian to any other man that the Town of Boston was indubtod 
for keeping the Court House there. 

On the 17th February he reported to the House that it was the 
opinion of the committee that the late Court House be repaired ; 
and that the charge thereof should be borne agreeably to the last 



APPENDIX M. 209 

establislimcut : i.e., one half by the Province, the other half to bfi 
divided between the County* of Suffolk and the Town of Boston. 

After debate the report was rejected, and by two successive 
votes it was resolved that the Court House should not lie built in 
any part of Boston, and that it should be built in the town of Kos- 
bury. Whereupon a joint committee was resolved upon to report 
a proper place in Roxbury for the said house and to consider of 
dimensions as well as the method of providing its charge, and the 
resolution was sent to the Council for concurrence, which was 
forthwith refused by a unanimous vote. After further debate 
the House again sent up the same proposition, substantially, which 
met the same fate as the former. 

Upon receiving information of this result, on the 19th February, 
the House ordered the further consideration of tlie subject to be 
referred to the nest session of the Court. 

On the 2d of March the Governor again moved in the matter, 
urging the present and prospective inconveniences thej' were 
suffering and likely to suffer ; and the House upon tiie next day, 
to which they had postponed consideration of the Governor's 
Message, consented to reconsider their vote of delay. They then 
took a new departure by deciding that the old house should not 
be repaired, but that a new one should be built in the Town of 
Boston, and a joint committee was appointed (the Council con- 
curring in this vote) to consider and report on a proper place in 
that town. 

In the afternoon of the following day the House was informed 
by their chairman of the joint committee that he was directed to 
propose to the House that they should go at once to view the 
Common and Fort Hill, and determine which was the most con- 
venient place to build a new Court House in, as the said com- 
mittee were divided in their senliments upon that affair. 

After a deliate the House refused to accept the report, and 
postponed the consideration of the affair until the following 
Wednesday, the 9th of March. Upon that and the following 
day the result reached was the determination to re|)air the late 
Court House : one-half the charges to be paid l)y the Province, 
one-fourth by the County of Suffolk, and one-fuinth by the 
Town of Boston. A committee was appointed to jjurchase ma- 



210 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

terials, and to prepare a plan of the inside work, with an estimate 
of the charge, to be laid before the Court at the next session. 
The committee very promptly purchased a great part of the 
materials, and reported that fact to the House with their proposed 
plan, evidently to prevent any further vacillation on the part of 
the House. An appropriation was immediately proposed, and 
the first grant for purchasing materials — £100 — was made on the 
8th of April, 1748, and concurred in by the Council, with the 
consent of the Governor, on the following day. 

The consideration of the plan reported was then made the 
special order for the following Tuesda}-, April 12th, at three 
o'clock P.M., when, " after a debate," it was adopted. 

It should be observed here that this result was precisely that 
which was proposed in Speaker Hutchinson's first report on the 
subject, on the 17th February. 

Several attempts wore made afterwards in the Mouse to interfere 
with this determination ; but they were unsuccessful, and the 
work was carried on to completion. The only important change 
in the plan first submitted and determined on was made on the 19th 
November, 1748, when a proposition by the Building Committee 
to enlarge the llcprescntatives' Room in the Town House, then 
rebuilding, was agreed to by the House. 

This modification in the plan by which the Representatives' Room 
in the new Town House was enlarged was an obvious necessity. In 
1728 there were 128 towns in the Province capable of sending Rep- 
resentatives, and in 1748 the number had increased to 1.53. 

The materials are scanty for the illustration of the plain official 
record of the controversy between Boston and tlie country party on 
this occasion ; but it is apparent that tlie major part of the House 
of Representatives was then averse to rebuilding the Court House 
in Boston, and disposed to build a house for the General Court in 
some town in the country. The lines were very strictly drawn. 
All the efforts of the Bostonians could not prevail for an entirely 
new structure ; and upon the test question whether a grant should 
be made for rebuilding the old one the House was equally divided, 
and the Speaker gave his casting voice in favor of the town. 

That Speaker was Thomas Hutchinson, who had and continued 
to "have still" (at a later period, when he found occasion to 



APPENDIX M. 211 

refer to these transactions) " a very good Affection for the Town 
of Boston." He used his influence in every way he could with 
propriety, in favor of rebuilding the Court House in Boston. I 
take pleasure in recalling these obscure facts respecting one of tha 
most gifted of her sons, who has had scant measure of justice in 
her history. 

The proceedings of the anti-Boston party in all this matter to 
which I have referred were not the first of their kind. In Jan- 
uary, 1739, a committee was appointed by the House of Repre- 
sentatives to consider, in the recess of the Court, " of some proper 
place in some one of the Country Towns of the Province (not too 
remote from Boston) wherein to build a Court House for the use 
of the General Assembly, that so the public business may be 
attended to with more ease and freedom of the members, and be 
transacted with greater dispatch ; as also to project some proper 
plan for the building, and ways and means best to effect it, and 
make report at the next sittiug of the Court." 

Accordingly, on the 21st of April, 1739, the committee reported 

in favor of a new Court House at , and that two acres of land 

there be purchased for a site. They found, with the help of their 
architects, that it would cost about £5,000, new tenor. They 
presented two plans by the architects, and gave their own opinion 
Hiat the model should be drawn from both of them to suit the 
Court. Tliey proposed to raise the money by an additional excise 
of twopence per gallon, new tenor, on spirituous liquors for the 
Bpace of six years to come ; any deficiency to be made up by a 
tax on polls and estates the next year. The debate which en- 
sued resulted in a postponement to the next Court. 

The movements of the anti-Boston party which I have detailed 
were not all to whit-h I have to direct your attention. The new 
building was hardly completed before a fresh proposition for a 
new Court House was made and determined upon by the General 
Court. 

Admiral Sir Peter Warren, in August, 1749, offered to the 
Province of Massachusetts as a present the money he received 
as commissioner for handling the money due for the Cape Breton 
Expedition. It was a handsome sum, and the Admiral conveyed 
with his offer an intimation of his wishes respecting its use by tlie 



212 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATIOX. 

Province. The intimation was disregarded, and the following 
proceedings took place in the General Court: — 

"On February 19th, 1751, Voted, That a Letter of Thanks from 
this Court for so generous a Benefaction (signed by the Sec- 
retary) be sent to that Gentleman, and to inform him: That 
in order to perpetuate his Jlemory among us ; It is the Determi- 
nation of this Court, that said Money be aiiplied towards the 
building a Court House in some Place out "f the Town of iJoston, 
and where this Court may hereafter appoint. 

" On February l',)tli a vote of Council was brought down to liele 
the whole paragraph respecting the building a Court House to 
perpetuate his Memory, &c. The House made a further Amend- 
ment that the said House be erected in the Town of Cambridge 
and adhered to their own vote as so amended, which was sent up 
for concurrence. 

"On February 22d the Council concurred in the Vote for a Court 
House, at Cambridge, the Liotitenant-Governor signed it, &c., 
and on tiie same day a letter was authorized by both branches, 
communicating 'the Determination of the Court, that the lUiild- 
ing proposed to be erected shall always be known and called by 
the name of WARREN HALL.' " 

The generous and sensible Admiral did not acquiesce in this 
extraordinary proposition, which therefore failed ; and Cam- 
bridge, like other towns " not too far from Boston," did not have 
the Court House. I find a remark of "the good Sicrctary " 
Willard, who conducted the correspondence in behalf of the 
General Court, which deserves quotation. He writes to the 
Admiral: "As their project for a Court House was much dis- 
liked l)y the wisest and most disinterested men, so the employ- 
ment of the money for the Instruction of the Mohawk Children, 
as you have designed it, is I believe generally much approved of." 

Nor are these I have noticed all the instances of the disposition 
of a strong party in the Legislature to take the Court House out 
of Boston. The subject was revived in 1754, when, on the ISth 
December, it was " Ordered, That the House will take under con- 
sideration the affair of removing the Court House out of the Town 
of Boston, to-morrow at eleven o'clock in the forenoon. 

"December 19th. The House, according to order, took under 



APPENDIX M. 213 

consideration the affair of reino\iag the Court House out of the 
Town of Boston ; and after a Debate had thereon the question 
was put, ' Wliether (here shall be erected a Court Houne out of the 
Toion of Boston?' " And it [jassud in the aflinnative. 

" And thereuiiou liesolced. That tiiere shall be a Court House 
ereeted for the holding the General Assembly of this Proviuee in 
some part of the town of Walertown. Sent up for concurrence. 

"It was also further 

" Ordered, That Col. Urattle, :Mr. John Hunt, and Judge Rus- 
sell, with such as the Honorable Board join, be a Committee to 
repair to the Town of "Watertown to pitch ui^on a convenient 
Place whereon to erect a Court House for the holdiug of the Gen- 
eral Assembly of this Province, inquire at what price the land 
suitable for said Building and its accommodations may be had, 
prepare a plan of the Building proposed, and report thereon to this 
Court as soon as may be. Sent up for concurrence. 

" January 4th, 1755. Upon inquiry by the House, their messen- 
ger was informed that the Board had uon-coueurred in the vote 
respecting a Coiu't House." 

The last of the series of propositions of this sort which I have 
to mention was in 1787, June IGth, when another effort to remove 
the seat of government from this town was made ; and a com- 
mittee appointed, who reported in favor of Concord as a suitable 
place for a new Capitol. 

The political year 1749-50 was that in which the Comt House, 
which had been rebuilt in fact upon and in the old walls of its pre- 
decessor, was reoccupied. I have not been able to ascertain the 
exact date, but a contemporary statement is, that on the i;3th 
July, 1749, the repairs were nearly finished, aud the Connnissioners 
on the Land Bank were to meet in a room there on the VJth of 
that month. .......... 

Ko such division of the space on the second Jloor 
as the j)resent existed at any time during the official use of the build- 
ing by the Legidature, Colonial, Provincial, Revolutionary, or 
State. During the entire Colonial and Provincial periods there 
were three chambers or apartments which I have mentioned, with 
their respective lobbies, and at least two entries. The great in- 
crease in the niuubcr of representatives denumding more room for 



214 OLD STATE HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 

the House dining the Revolution, the Representatives' Chamber 
was enlarged by taking in the Court Chamber, the Council 
Chamber still remaining the same ; and when the State Govern- 
ment was organized the Senate took possession of it, the Gov- 
ernor and Council being ol)ligod to find quarters in the Province 
House, where were also keijt at that time the oflices of the Secre- 
tary and Treasurer. 

The upper portion of the l)uildiug was left for several j-ears in 
an uufinislied state, and only gradually' brought into use. I think 
there were two rooms at the respective Eastern and Western ends, 
which may have been provided at fir.st ; for, on the 11th February, 
ITof), " the Room in the I'pper Story at the AVest End of the 
Court House " was duly appropriated by an order of Court to the 
use of committees during the time of the Court's sitting. And on 
the 27th August in the same year an order passed the House, 
that the members for the Town of Boston be directed to cause one 
or more chamt)ers in the upper story on the south side of the Court 
House to !)e finished for the accommodation of committees of the 
General Court. 

The Town of Boston also seems to have enjoj-ed additional 
benefits besides tiieir pulilic walk and exchange on the first floor, 
by the assignment of one of those first upper chambers for use liy 
their officials. This appears from the following proceedings in the 
House of Representatives on the 

" 21st Jan. ITCl. luasuuuli as the Select-Men of the Town of 
Boston sit to do business in Ukhv L'asternmofit upper chamber of the 
Court House, and the Sniall-1'ox frequently breaking out neces- 
sitates those Persons in whose Houses it is at first discovered, as 
well as many of the Physicians in the Town, to attend them ; this 
House apprehend it unsafe for such persons to ;hi.na- and repass the 
Door of this House. Therefore, 

" Voted, That said Select- Jlen be desired to remove their oflice 
from said Chamber, and provide themselves with some other 
suitable place, at the Charge of the Government, during the present 
Sitting of this Court." 



Till' cliainliers were all iihiiu in coustrui-tion, and their tittiugs 



APPENDIX M. 215 

and furniture simple in character, with probably hardly a touch of 
extravagance anywhere. 

The Council Chamber was furnished with a large table and 
chairs, and one or more glazed bookcases stood in the room, in 
which were preserved with care some valunble booics which had 
been presented by liberal citizens and friends of the Province, 
among wiiicli I may mention the Hon. Benj. Lynde's gift of tlie 
Statutes at Large, in six volumes folio, for the use of tlie Courts of 
Common Law sitting in this House, as well as the Legislature ; 
and a complete set of the History and Proceedings of the Houses 
of Lords and Commons from the Reign of King Charles the IL, 
viz. : eight volumes of the Proceedings of the Lords and fourteen 
of the Proceedings of the Commons, from Isaac Royal, Esq., of 
Charlestown. 

The Royal Ai-ms, also, which were subsequently removed and 
carried to St. John, N.B., where they now decorate a ciiurch, 
must have been a conspicuous feature in the Chamber. With 
reference to tliis subject and anothei' intimately connected with it, 
as will appear, I think you will pardon me if I go back a little to 
recall a few memories of the first and second Town Houses, which 
were burned. 

As early as May 25, 1636, or during the May session of the 
General Court, it was ordered that in " places of judicature, the 
King's ma''"' armes shalbc erected soe sone as tliey can be hadd." 
(Mass. Records, 175.) But, notwithstanding this " order for ye 
King's armes to be set up," it is not probable that they were " to 
be hadd " in that jurisdiction for a long time afterward, or tliat 
thej- soon became visible in the high places of judgment. 

It was not until 1678, when tiie agents of the General Court 
were struggling against their enemies at Court and warding off tlie 
blows levelled at their charter, that they were compelled to show 
their recognition of the royal authority by taking the oath of alle- 
giance and exhibiting the ensigns armorial of England in their hall 
of assembly. The records state th.-it " the King's armes also the 
Court have ordered to be forthwith carved by an able artist and 
erected in the Court House." I suppose this is all we can hope to 
knew about the arms or the artist. 

But, in 1705, we come upon nearer and a little surer ground. 



21G OLD STATE HOUSE RE-UEDICATION. 

Governor Dudley, in a letter to the Lords of Trade, March 10, 
1705, quoted by PalTroy, iv., 295, note, says : — 

" I liave received her Majesty's picture and coat-of-arms. The 
arms were the next day fixed in the Council Ciiamlier of this 
Piovince . . . Her Majesty's picture I have sot up in m^' 
owu house, where it is always in the view of all masters of sea, 
strangers, and others who are bound to make their attendance, 
and where the counsellors and gentlemen of the country frequently 
are." 

I have not discovered how long Dudley kept the queen's por- 
trait at bis own house in Rosbur3' ; but it was placed in the Town 
House, where it belonged before the fire in 1711, in which that 
house was destroyed. The Royal Picture Gallery thus seems to 
have had its origin in the time of Queen Anne. Chalmers states 
that Queen Anne g.ave her portrait to every colony, and more 
than intimates a degree of churlishness in Massachusetts on its re- 
ception there. " A trivial fact throws additional light on the 
temper of that assembly [1706-7]: they refused to address the 
queen, in return for her portrait, wherewith she had honored 
every colony, though the compliment, demanded by the civility of 
a woman, far less the respect due to the condescension of their 
sovereign, had impugned no privilege, had imposed no duty, had 
enforced no act of Parliament." — Introduction to the Ilistory of 
the Colonies, 310. 

This portrait escaped destruction in the great fire of 1711, in 
which " the Town House and the Meeting House, with many fair 
Buildings were consumed, anil several Persons Kill'd and burn'd. 
Some Gentlemen took care to preserve Her Majesty's Picture that 
was in the Town House." — Boston News Letter, No. 3U0, October 
1-8, 1711. 

I have met with no record of the fate of the portraits of the 
queen sent to other colonies. Only among the archives of Vir- 
ginia, indeed, h;ive 1 as yet found any notice whatever of so con- 
spicuous and interesting a gift. This appears in the shape of a 
bill of charges from the attorneys of Col. Francis Nicholson, then 
Governor, for expenses in England attending the gift. They are 
embodied in an " Account of the charges for Obtaining the 
Queen's Picture and Queen's Armes, with two Carved guilt 
Frames, for her Majestie's Piovince of Virginia. 



2 



APPENDIX M. 217 

1 70| For an order of Councill for the Picture . . £2 1 2 fi 
p'' for a Coiiy to Com" of Trade .... .5 

For ditto for Queen's Armes to L** Jlarshall . . 2 12 1) 
p"* for a Copy to Com" of Trade .... 5 

1703 For y" 1/ ChamI)erlaine'sr)\rarr"toS'G. Kneller -j 
April 20th 1/ Moutague & her :M:ij"" Frame Maimer J 

p'' Clerk's Fees . . . . . . .15 

p'' Chamljer Keeper ...... 2 R 

June Dth p"* Fees at Treasury for Counter Signeing L'' 

Chamberlaine's War' for 2 Arms, Etc., Eu"'^'' . 17 (I 
July tith p'' gave S' G. Kneller's chief man Jlr. Bland, 
Clerk at y" wardrol)e, framemaker's Serv' w"' 
Cartage, Porters, and Boat hyre to Key . .2 " 



It is fair to say that these charges, amounting in all to eleven 
pounds and thu-teen shillings, on being submitted to the Eegis- 
lature of Virginia, were refused paj'ment, aud the claim was -'re- 
jected as being no Country charge." It is painful to observe 
that if the sons of tlie cavaliers were not more liberal with their 
thanks than with their money Mr. Chalmers might have in- 
cluded them in the rebuke he recorded for the men of Massa- 
chusetts. 

Before the j-ear 1 7.'!'.l the gallery had been emiched by the 
addition of the portraits of King George the First aud King 
George the Second, together with those of the then late Queen 
Caroline ' and the Princess Sophia.' In June, 17;j',), the Province 
ordered copies of the pi<tiires of King AVilliam and Queen Mary, 
of glorious Memory, to he procured liy their agent in England from 
the best originals that can be found at full length, in order for their 
being set up in the Council Chamber with the pictures of their 
JIajesties' Eoj'al Successors. The resolution did not omit to com- 
memorate the fact that it was in the fourth 3'ear of the reign of 
William aud !Mary that " His ^Majesty's good Subjects of this 



' Qneen Caroline, of Brandenburg Anspach, A. 10S2, (/. 1737, wife of George II. In 170.'i, 
and grandmother of George III. 

- I'rincews Sophia, wUter of George XI., wife of Frederie William I., of TruttHia, and iimnuT 
of Frederic the Great. 



218 OLD STATK HOUSE KE-I)EDICATIOX. 

I'rovince were happily incorponited by the present lioyul 
Charter." 

The first Town House also contained the beginnings of the first 
jmlilif library in Amcriea, for wliich provision was made in its 
original foundation by Ca])t. liobcrt Keayne direeting " a conven- 
ient room for a library." Occasional notices may be found of 
tliis Library, showing that it had been established or begun ; and 
when the building was destroyed by fire, in 1711, portions of it 
appear to have been saved, for when the new house was completed, 
in 171;!, the public were duly advised by advertisement to the 
effect that '• All persons that have in their keeping, or can give 
Notice of any of the Town Library ; or other things belonging to 
the Town House in Boston before the late fire, are desired to 
inform the Treasurer of the said Town thereof, in order to theii- 
being returned." — Boston Xewx Letter, Xo. 477, June 1-8, 17i;). 

I have met with few notices of the Library in connection witli 
the second Town House, and if any part was restored to that 
building, it must have perished in the fii-e of 1717, with all " the 
pictures of the Kings and Queens " which I have mentioned. 



I have notes of description, made by an intelligent and observ- 
ing stranger in 17G'J. He says of the " decorations" at the 'I'own 
House : " In the Council Ghanib"r the pictures of Charles the 2d ; 
James the 2d ; and George the 2d, at full length, and the copies 
of the pictures of Governor AViuthrop, Governor Endicott, Gov- 
ernor Leverett, Governor Bradstreet, Governor Burnett, and the 
picture three-quarters of Governor I'ownall. /;: the Representa- 
tives' Room, the picture of Admiral Russell, betwixt the wimloics 
above the Speaker's chair. There is carved abooe the door the 
ancient arms of the Provivce, and in the middle of the cciVn);/ hangs 
a carved wooden codfish, Emblem of the staple of Conunodities of 
the Province." 

The Representatives' Chamber was similar to its neighboring 
aijartment on the east, but i)rovided with wooden seats or 
benches for the members, arranged on the sides of the room. In 
177.! an order was uuule to i)rovide cu.sliious for these scats. The 



APPENnix M. 210 

Spi'aliei's chair was on the southern side, and in front of him was 
'• the table," at which the Clerk only was also permitted to sit. A 
(lis]iosition seeras to have been manifested on the part of some- 
body to encroach on this reservation, for the second of the 
Rules and Orders to be observed in the House of Reprcsent;ition 
in 1775 and in 1777 expressly declares that " No Person shall sit 
at the Table, except the Speaker and Clerk." I fear that the 
Speaker's Desk, so carefully preserved in the Cabinet of the Mas- 
sachusetts Historical Society, and so admirably copied in fac-simile 
for the other room, will have to be referred to a very late (if any) 
period of the legislative occupation of this building 

'■ Tlie IJoston scat" must be specially' noticed licrc. From the 
beginning of legislation under the Province Charier Boston was 
entitled to four representatives, twice as many as any other town, 
and '-the Boston seat" played an important part in everything 
that was done. It never failed to exercise a full share of influence 
in the House, which became more and more conspicuous as the 
era of the Revolution came on. 

It is very evident that "the lioston seat" was a, front seat; 
and I have reason to conclude that it was actually in the central 
division of benches on the north side of the chamber, directly in 
front of the Speaker. It was known and recognized from an early 
date, and " the gentlemen of the Boston seat," or " the members 
of the Boston seat," are frequently mentioned as being charged 
with special services and duties. 

It seems to have been the only monopoly of the kind, and I can 
recall but one instance of an attempt to invade it. On the 30th of 
May. 1754, the question was put, whether any particular seat in 
the House should be assigned to the members of the towns of 
Plymouth and Salem. The presumptuous ambition of those towns, 
however, was checked at once by a vote in the negative. 

The earliest decoration of which I have any certain date in the 
Ropiesentatives' Chamber was a branch of candlesticks for its 
service and ornament, which was offered by Isaac Royal, of 
Charlestown, and accepted with the thanks of the House on the 
2.^d April. 1718, immediately after the determination to rebuild the 
House. A subsequent reference to it by John Adams not only 
assures us that Mr. Royal's liberal intention was carried out, but 



220 OLD STATF, HOUSE KE-DEI)ICATIOX. 

that it was a " brass branch of cancllestioks," which was duly put 
in phice, directly over tiie table of the Speaker and Clerk. 

In 1 T.JO the ancient Anns of tiie Colony, carved with great care 
and pains by Closes Deshon, who also gilded and painted the 
same, were put up in the House, " over the door." The artist 
was the same who had executed for the town, a few years before, 
the Faueuil Arms, elegantly carved and gilt, to be fixed in Faneuil 
Hall. The consideration (for which he appears to have waited 
more than two years), finally voted by the House, for the Colony 
Arms, was six pounds, thirteen shillings and fourpence. 



In 1 7CC a new feature was introduced in the Representatives' 
Ciianibcr, of remarkable importance. On the motion of James 
Otis, who, with Mv. Hancock and Mr. Adams a.s a committee, 
carried out the design, it was ordered that the debates of the 
House should be open; and that a (lallery be erected on the 
"Westerly side of tiie C'luuiilicr for tlie accommodation of such 
Persons as should be inclined to attend the same. It was further 
ordered that no persons be admitted to a seat in the Gallery 
without applying to and being introduced by a Member of the 
House. The work was completed before the end of that political 
year, and the account of Thomas Crafts, Ilousewriglit, for erecting 
a Gallery and other work done by order of the House was presented 
and allowed on the 17 March, 1790, amounting to £1">.G.5. " The 
gallery of the house " is among the places of dissipation of time 
in !7(;.S mentioned in the diary of John Adams, ii., MV. It was 
afterwards enlarged with a chamber itself, as I shall presently 
show. 



In June, 17(;!), the General Court having refused to go on with 
the business of legislation, in view of the military occupation, and 
under the guns of the .Main (Juard, which were planted opposite 
the doors of the Coiu-t House, — as it were, at the points of bayo- 
nets and mouths of cannon, — the Governor took them at their 



AI'l'KXDIX M. 221 

word aud adjourned the Court to meet the next day, June Ifitli, 
at Cambridge. It was no softening of this blow to the House, l)ut 
it was with pain that they were obliged to observe that the very 
night after this adjouriiment was made the cannon were removed 
from the Court House ;uid put on board a vessel for Halifax. 

Among the resolves of the 2'Jth Juue, read and corrected July 
7, 1769, etc., is the following: — 

" Itesolced, That whoever gave Order for Quartering even Com- 
mon Soldiers and Camp Women in Ike Court House in Boston, 
and in the Representatives' Chamber, where some of the principal 
Archives of the Government had been usually deposited, making 
a Barrack of the same, placing a ^lain Guard with cannon pointed 
near the said House and Sentinels at the Door, designed a high 
Insult and a triumphant Indication that the Militarj' power was 
Master of the whole Legislative." 

In the petition to the king, 1709, it is said, " Your Majesty's 
said Governor . . . ordered the very Room which is appro- 
priated for the Meeting of the Representatives of the General As- 
sembly, and teas never used for any other Purpose, and where their 
Records are Jcept, to be employed as a Barrack for the Common. 
Soldiers: Aud the Ceutiuels were so posted as that your Majesti/'s 
Council, aud the Justices of the Courts of Common Law, were 
dail}' interrupted and even challenged in their Proceeding to the 
Business of their several Departments." 

"January 9th, 1773. Upon a motion, Ordered, That IMr. 
Speaker, Mr. Hancock, Mr. Bacon, aud Major Hawley, be a Com- 
mittee to inspect the State of this Buiiding and report what 
Repairs are necessarj'." 

This was soon after the opening of the Court upou its return 
from the Cambridge exile, the fourth day of the second session 
of the General Court of 1772-73. Nearly four years had passed 
since the Legislature had been compelled to meet elsewhere than 
in their " ancient and convenient seat," constantlj' and vainly 
strusglins against tiieir icmoval and exile as an arbitrary viola- 
tion of their Charter rights. 

" February 2d. The Committee appointed to inspect the State 
of the Court House reported. 

" Aud thereupon it was Ordered, That the Speaker, Mr. Hancock, 



ooo 



nr.T) STATF, IIOUSF, IJR-DF.OirATION. 



and ^Ir. Adams, with sucli as the Honorable Board shall join, l)e 
a Committee to see to the necessary repairs of the Court House, 
anil to agree with a Painter to paint tlie Rooms in which the 
Council and House of Ueprcsentatives sit in General Assembly." 

The Legislature sat until March G, 1773, so that the repairs 
were probably made between that date and May, when the new 
Court assembled. 

"June 2'Jth, 177:!. Upon a motion. Ordered. That the Com- 
mittee appointed to see to the necessary' repairs of the State 
JIousc, provide cushions for the several seats in this room." 

Ii is a noteworthy fact that these repairs of 1773 which elicited 
this little demonstration of a desire on the part of the House for 
comfort (if not luxury) in sitting were so little enjoyed under the 
old regime, the Chamber being occupied afterwards by the 
Legi.sl iture of the Province only a few months, terminating with 
the fust four days of its brief existence in 1774, — Ma}* 25th to 
2'Sth, — when Gage adjourned the session to meet at Salem on the 
7th of June. 

On this occasion also the name of " State House" first appears, 
although it did not come immediately into common use. But it 
.■ittracted the notice of Governor Hutchinson, who mentions it in 
his history as an illustration of the change in the s^tyle and lan- 
guage of the General A8scml)ly, which he attributes to Sanniel 
Aihims. whose "attention to the Cause in which he was engaged 
would not suffer him to neglect even small circumstances, which 
coukl lie made subservient to it." 

Immediately after the British evacuation of Boston measures 
were taken to cause such repairs to be made in the State House 
as were necessary to fit it for the reception of the Geueial Court. 
A difficulty was apparent at once in providing accommodation for 
the Representatives, who now numbered more than 200. On the 
8th April a special committee was charged " to inquire and report 
whether the Chamber in the Town House in Boston, which had 
been used by the Courts for the County of Suffolk, could be pur- 
ihased for the use of the House of Re|)rcsentativcs, that the 
Partiti(m between it and the Representatives' Room in said House 
may be taken down and the two Rooms made into one, and what 
would be the Expense thereof." Another committee, appointed to 



APPENDIX M. 223 

treat with a committee of the Justices of the County of Suffolk in 
the followiug June, reported an offer on the part of the County to 
sell their interest to the Colony for tiio sum of one thousand 
pounds. 

In the following October, however, the Justices, by formal order 
of Court, ti'udored to the Great and General Assembly of the State 
the Chamber iu the Old Court House in which the Courts of l>aw 
formerly sat, upon condition that the State should allow such a 
sum therefor to the Coimty as the Great and General Assembly 
should determine to be just and reasonable. 

A committee was forthwith despatched to view the premises and 
report what was proper to be done, and on the 18th October, 177G, 
" Daniel Davis, Esq., brought down from the honorable board Jlr. 
Commissary Smith's account, with the report of a Committee of 
both Houses thereon, viz. : — 

" The Committee appointed to view the Representatives' Cham- 
ber, and the County Chamber thereto adjoining, and to re|)ort 
■what is necessary to be done in order to accommodate the House 
of Representatives, reported as follows, viz. : " The Committee find 
that the present Chamber will accommodate 150 members, by 
shutting up the west door, and erecting a few seats ; but as the 
present House of Representatives consists of more than 200 Mem- 
bers, your Committee think it best that the partition betwixt the 
Representatives' Chamlier and the County Chamljcr should be re- 
moved within 11 feet of the western! of the Court House ; and that 
the stairs go up in the north-west corner of said House ; and that 
the said 11 feet be improved for a lobby and entry-wa}' ; and that 
over the same be a gallery-, to accommodate spectators, agreeable 
to the pluu herewith exhibited ; the whole of which your Committee 
think may be completed for about /ci?-<^ ponmh. All which is 
humbly submitted. W. Stoky, p«;- order." 

"Read and accepted, and thereupon " Ordered, That the said 
Committee make the alterations proposed, or such alterations as 
they shall judge best. 

" Voted, That the Great and General Court be removed into 
Boston, as soon as the\' can with safet}'. 

'• October ID. Voted, That Mr. Otis be of the Committee ap- 



224 



Ol.n STATIC HOUSE RE-DEDICATION. 



pointed to enlarge the Representatires' Chamber in the Court 
House in Boston, in the room of Mr. Partridgi', excused. 

'• November 'J. Ou motion, Vcled. at the desire of the House, that 
when this Court shall be adjourned, it be adjourned to the Coui-t 
House in Boston. 

'• Ordered, That a message go to the iiiajor pari of tlie Couueil to 
desire them to adjourn this Court to Tuesday next [Nov. 12th], at 
ten o'clock in the forenoon, then to meet at the Court House in 
Boston." 

The session ended on the same day, and the adjournment took 
])lace from Watertowu to meet accordingly at the Court House iu 
Boston. 




INDEX. 



INDEX. 



Acts, published, 42. 

Adams, 18, 67, 70, 71, 74, 75, 76, 84, 

85, 87, 88, 90, 94, 116,205, 219, 220, 

222. 
Addington, 24, 25, 36, 50, 168. 
Albans, Saint, 25. 
Amherst, G9. 
Araory, Thomas C, 147. 
Andros, Sir E., 34, 35, 37, 38. 
Anne, Queen, portrait, 216. 
Apthorp, 150. 

Armoury, the, 53, 163, 165, 167, 168. 
Arms, Colony and Royal, 61, 64, 95, 

147, 215, 220. 
Artillery Co., Ancient and Honorable, 

26, 27, 41, 163, 165, 167. 
Assessors' Report, 104-106. 
Auckmooty, 49. 
Avery, 103. 

Bacon, 221. 

Badger, Commodore, 126. 

Badlam, 184. 

Bagnald, 53. 

Bagnall, 175. 

Baker, 185. 

Balcony or gallery, 35, 40, 43, 50, 53, 

57, 62, 64, 83, 90, 92, 94, 05, 154, 

189, 203, 204, 220. 
Barnes, 32. 

Barristers' Building, 191. 
Barry, 107. 
Balcheldor, 103. 
Beacon Hill, 23. 
Beal, 107. 
Belcher, 54. 
Bellingham, 34, 180, 180. 



Bellomont, 34, 39, 40. 
Benjamin, 198. 
Bernad, 29, 30. 

Bernard, 67, 70, 71, 76, 78, 80, 189. 
Bilboa, 79. 
Bishop, 18. 
Bland, 217. 
BoUan, 59. 
Bond, 198. 

Boston, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 35, 38, 
39, 41, 50, 66, 69, 70, 74, 76, 77, SO, 
92, 149, 206, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 
213, 214, 219. 
Boston Buildings, 25. 

Cadets, 56, 69, 70. 

Evening Post, 55, 56, 58, 59. 

Gazette, 93, 169. 

Magazine, 94. 

Post Boy, 62. 

Sights, 199. 
Bowdoin, 87, 90, 94, l.")0. 

square, 191. 
Bowcn, Picture of Boston, 109, 113, 
114, 115, 183, 184, 192, 193, 196, 197. 
BoH-ers, 88. 
Braddish, 181. 
Bradstreet, 34, 35. 
Brainlree, 180, 186. 
Brattle, 45, 213. 
Hrazer, 25. 

Brazer's Building, 23, 24, 25. 
Urenton, 163. 
Hridewell, 182. 
liridge, 108. 

British Coffee House, SI. 
Bronifield. 47. 
Brooklinc, 179, 180. 



228 



INDEX. 



Brooks, 25, 194. 
Broughton, 28, 163. 
Brown, 47, 100. 
Bryant, 198. 
Bulfinch, 95. 
Bnllard, 10.S. 
Bunker Hill, 56. 

battle of, 91. 
Burgess, 48. 
Burgoyne, 116. 
Burlcy, 106. 
Burnet, 62. 
Butler, Gov., 172. 
Buttolph, 54. 

Cambridge, 52, 79, 87, 88, 181, 208, 
212, 221. 
Gaol, 181. 
Canada, 92. 
Candlesticks, 219, 220. 
Canso, 55. 

Cape Breton E.xpcdition, 211. 
Carleton, 92. 
Carr, 84. 

Castle, the, 56, 84, 86, 88, 92, 94. 
C'azneau, 103. 
Chalmers, 216, 217. 
Chantrej-, statue by. 111. 
Chapman, 199. 
Chapman Hall, 191. 
Chardon, 150. 
Charlcstown, 52. 
Checkky, 51. 
Chelsea, 25, 180, 186^ 
Chester Co., 25. 
Cliimneys, 54. 
Church, Christ, 154. 

First, 19, 81, 173. 
Old Brick, 92. 

Old .South, 22, 25, 68, 84, !51. 
Cincinnati, 153. 
Circular Letter, 76. 

staircase, 153. 
Citizens' meeting, 92. 
City Council, 9, 17, 197, 198, 201, 206, 
209, 210. 
Government, i,n,iuguratcd, 193, 
194. 



City Hall, 29, 113, 114, 115, 152, 153, 
154, 155, 156, 157, 158,173,178, 191, 
192, 194, 195, 197, 198, 199, 200, 206. 

Clarke, 28, 163. 

Clear, 175. 

Clerk, town, 53. 

of the House, 75. 

Clinton, 116. 

Clock, town, 63. 

Closet, the, 48. 

Clough, Geo. A., 153, 156, 161. 

Cobb, 29. 

Codfish, the, 61. 

Cogan, 24. 

Cogin, 163. 

Colbron, 24. 

Cole, 29. 

Cole lane, 70. 

Colonists, rebellion of, 35. 

Columbian Insurance Co., 106. 

Commercial Insurance Co., 107. 

Commissioners, 27, 75. 

Committeeon Public Buildings, 17, 157, 

., 158, 1.59. 

Common, the, 78, 209. 

Common Council, 18, 156, 157, 159. 
Hall, 197. 

Concord, 213. 

Conduit, 27, 33, 34, 163, 164, 165, 166, 
167, 16S. 
description of, 33. 

Congress, 90. 

Congress square, 24. 

Connell, 159. 

Cook, 51, 175. 

Cooke, 61, 175, 176. 

Coolidge, 198. 

Copp's Hill, 23. 

Corbet, 79. 

Corbett, 25. 

Cornhill, 44, 109. 

Coth, 199. 

Cotton, 177. 

Council, the, 40, 41, 46, 47, 73, 75, 84. 

Council-chamber, 40, 43, 47, 48, 49, 50, 
56, 57, 61, 62, 64, 70, 78, 79, 83, 87, 
89,92,93, 94, 105, 204, 214, 216, 217. 

Councillors, 47, 48. 



INDEX. 



229 



County-chamber, 223. 
County Hecords and Papers, 40. 
County Treasury, 176, 181, 185. 
Court-chamber, 49, 170, 214, 215. 
Court of Admiralty, 52, 79. 
Court, General, 27, 30, 3f>, 42, 57, GO. 
98, 179, 185, 208, 210, 211 
212, 213, 214, 215, 220, 22l'^ 
222, 223. 
Inferior, 45, 49, 189. 
Municipal, 193. 
Police, 193. 
Superior, 45. 
Supreme, 37, 43, 189. 
Courts, County and State, 190. 
Federal, removed, 191. 
Court House, 31, 45, 58, GO, 80, 99, 
100,101,102,103,173, 
174, 183. 
bell, 176. 
burnt, 58. 
disposal of, 100, 101, 

102, 103. 
new, 178, 179, 184, 1S5, 
187, 188, 189, 190, 
191, 198, 208, 209, 
211, 213, 214, 220, 
221, 223, 224. 
new, site proposed, 178, 
187. 
committee on, 178, 

179, 187, 188. 
corner-stone laid, 

191. 
cost, 188, 191. 
erected, 190. 
completed, 191. 
Court House, County, 184, 189, 195, 
198. 
old, 223, 224. 

torn down, 191. 
Leverett st., 193. 
stone, 197. 

to be removed from 
Boston, 208, 209, 212, 
213. 
Court Kecords, 173, 174, 175, 17C, 177, 
178, 179, 185, 189. 



Court Room, 173, 174, 203, 204. 
Court square, 193, 198. 
Crafts, 92, 220. 
Crean, 91. 
Cunningham, 150. 
Cushing, 90, 150, 205. 
Custom House, 82. 



Daily exchange, the, 32. 
Dalrymple, 78, 84, 86. 
Darnhall, 25. 
Davis, 112, 223. 
Dawes, 25, 96. 
Dean, 107. 
Debtors-Jail, 183. 
Declaration of Independence, 92. 
Dedhain, 180, 186. 
Deputies, 37, 48, 51, 52. 
Deshon, 61, 151, 220. 
Doane, 176. 

Dock square, 44, 81, 82, 150. 
Dorchester, 179, 186. 
neck, 92. 
Dowse, 176, 177. 
Dudley, 34, 42, 50, 51, 51, 216. 
Diimmer, 50, 54. 
Dunton, 31. 



East Chamber, 38, 45. 

Hall, 17. 
Eddy, 157, 159. 
Edwards, 100. 
Edwin, 25. 

Ellis, Kev. Rufus, 19. 
Elsham, 25. 
Endicott, 34. 
Engine, fire, 61. 
England, 33, 3.5, 55, 76, 91. 
Eustis, 100, lUl. 
Evacuation of Boston, 92. 
Everett, 33, 103, 112. 
Exchange, the, 24, 47. 

merchants', 32, 114. 



Eaneuil, 65, 150. 

arms of, 320. 



1^30 



INDEX. 



FsneaU Hall, 13, 22, 60, Co, 6fi, GT, 
68, 69, 77, 78. b3, 9i, 99 
110, 149, 150, 151, 174, 197, 
208, 220. 
Hall Market, 150. 
portrait of, 150. 

Fayerweather, 176. 

rietcber. 168. 

Files of papers, 57, 175. 

Fires, 34, 43, 44, 46, 49, 57, 58, 59, 
107, 111, 115, 151, 169, 216, 218. 

First Church, 19, 81. 

Filch, 51. 

Flagg, 47, 52. 

Flood, 106. 

Floyd, 106, 107. 

Fort Hill, 23, 35, 73,92,94, 209. 

Franquelin, map of Boston, 33. 

Freemasons, 109, 110. 

French troops welcomed, 94. 

Frost, 157, 159. 

Funerals, public, 50, 69. 

Gage, 69, 78, 90, 91, 116. 222. 
Galler>-. the. 40, 62, 76. 88. 96, 163, 
164, 168, 189, 203, 204, 217, 220. 223. 
Gaol, county, 176, 180, 183. 
inspected, 180. 
repaired, 180. 
new, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 
186. 

committee on, 178, 179. 

burnt, 182. 

repaired, 183. 

stone, ISO, 183, 187. 
Garden court, 73. 
(jardner. 10:'>. 
Garrison, William L., 119. 
George, 37. 
Gibbs, 31. 

Gifts by the Slate, 171, 172. . 
Gilbert, 107. 

Goelet, Capt. Francis, 60, 61. 
Goldlliwait, 175. 189. 
Gooch, 54. 
Gookin. 42. 

Governor, messages from, o2, 209. 
Grammar-school inspectors, 49. 



Granary, the, 27, 163, 164, 167, 168. 
Gray's ropewalk, 81. 
Great seal, the, 147. 
Green, the, 35. 

cliamber, the, 53. 
Green, Samuel A., address by, 121. 
Greenleafe, 180. 
Greenwood, 107, 108. 
Gregg, 159. 

Gridley, Col. Richanl, 56. 
Gunhouse, 183. 

Hale's Stirvey of Boston, 1 15. 

Half-square court, 25. 

Halifax, 76, 79, 221. 

Hancock, IS, 87, 88. 90, 9», 220, 221. 

House, 154. 
Harrington, 106. 
Hart, 157. 

Harvard College, 27. 
Haversham, 25. 
Hawley, 87, 221. 
Healths, drinking of, 42. 
Heath, 175. 
Henderson, 94. 
Henshaw, 179. 185. 
Herbert Collidge. 167, 168. 
Hersey, Aid. CharU-s H., address by, 

IS. 
Hersey, 159. 
HerU Co., 25. 
Hill, 103, 189. 
HUler, 51. 
Hilton, 159. 
Hinghara, ISO, 186. 
Hinkly, 36. 
Hobart, 107. 
Holmes, 111. 
Hooper, 79. 
Uouchin. 28, 29. 
House, the, 46. 51, 52, 74. 76. 87. 209. 

210, 212, 213, 214. 220. 221. 

222. 224. 
of Correction. IS.*!. 
of Kepresentatives, 4".'. 174. 

185, 208, 209, 210,211, 214, 

222, 223. 
Howe, 91, 116, 150. 



INDEX. 



231 



Hubbard, 174. 

Hull, 29, 1G«, 180, 18G. 

Hunt, 213. 

Hutchinson, 28, 29, 35, 44, 4o, 51, 68, 
79, 80, 82, 83, 88, 110, 
150, 17fi, 178, 179, 181, 
182, 187, 188, 208, 210, 
222. 
house burnt, 73. 



Independence, birth of, 72. 

Jail. 173, 177, 178, 184, 191. 
Leverett street, 1 83. 
stone, new, described, la.j. 
taken down, 183. 
prisoners removed from 

180. 
old, 190. 
Jeffries, 149. 
Johnson, 24. 

Hall, 192. 
Josselyn, 31. 
Joy, 29, 30. 
Joy's Building, 25. 



Legislature, 26, 27, 31, 42, 44, 45, 55, 
57, 62, 74, 75, 77, 78, 
87,88,90,208,212, 221, 
222. 
at Cambridge, 79, 87, 88. 
at Salem, 90. 
at Watertown, 91, 93. 
returned to Boston, 93, 94, 
97. 
Leverett, 24, 34. 

Wharf, 37. 
Lewis, 150. 

Lexington, battle of, 91. 
Liberty square, 23. 

tree, 73. 
Library, town, 27, 33, 163, 1C4, 167, 

168. 
Lidget, 37. 
Limestone found, 40. 
Lincoln, 111. 

Co., 25. 
Lion and Unicom, 64, 145, 146, 147, 

148. 
Lloyd, 112. 
Lobby, 43, 49, 204. 
London, 24, 59. 
Long, Gov. John D., 12G. 
Long Wharf, 56, 90. 
Keayne, Capt. Robert. 24, 26, 27, 28, I Louisburg, 56, 69. 



29,31,33,34, 163, 168,218. 
founds the town-house, 31. 
signature, 28. 

will, 162 163, 164, 165, 166, 
167, 16S. 
Kidd, Capt. William, tried, 40, 41. 
Kilby, 59. 

Kings arras, 61, 147, US, 1S9, 215, 
216. 
Chapel, 69, 154. 
Kneller, 217. 

Knowles, Commodore, 56, 57. 
Kuhn, 103. 



Lake, 31. 
Land Bank, 213. 
Lawrence, 69. 
Lechford, account by, 26. 



capture of, 50, 55. 
Lowell, 112. 
Lynde, 37-, 215. 

Mackay, 78. 

Magazine, the public, 165. 
.Maguire, 159. 
Marblehead, 79. 
Market, the, 32, 166. 

House, 163, 166, 167, IftS. 

place, 23, 27, 163, 164, 165, 

. 167. 
MarshaU, 29, 217. 
Marston, 11. 
Masonic Temple, 191. 
Massachusetts Fire Insurance Co., 

98. 
Massachusetts Magazine. 12. l:'. 97. 
McLane, 103. 



232 



INDEX. 



Mechanics' Hall, 199. 
Mcdtk-Ul, 18U, Ksi;. 
Mfdway, 180, I8G. 

Meeting-house, the, 24, 25, 2G, 1G3, 
164, 21G. 

Colman's, 46. 

First, 23, 24. 44. 

old, 42, 44, 49, 53. 

.south, 4G. 
Memorial Halls, 158. 
Merchant's Kow, 23. 
Messenger, 106, 107. 
Messinger, 108. 
Middle Chamber, 45. 
Middlesex, 52, 70. 
Midfiley, 199. 
Miller, 53, 175. 
Milton, 179, 186. 
Minot, 71, 100. 
Model ofTown House, 28. 
MolineaiiN, William, 82. 
Montague, 217. 
Moore, George H., notes by, 174, 189, 

201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 2u8. 
Morrison, 157. 
Morse, 44. 
Munich, 199. 

Municipal Court House, 183. 
Kooni, 191. 

Nanta.sket, 77, 92. 

Neal, Daniel, description '.ly, 46. 

Needham, 179, 186. 

Netmakcr, 47. 

Newbury, 40. 

Newburyport, 154. 

New York, 70, 74, 78. 

Nicholson, 47, 21G. 

Northend, 52. 

Norton, 168. 

Noyes, 181. 

Oakes, 51. 

O'Brien, 157. 

Old Burial Tlace, the, 50. 

Court House, 223. 

South Church, 22, 25, G8, 84, 151. 
Oliver, 73, 116, 160. 



Oliver Dock, 73. 

Otis, 51, 70, 71, 72, 74, 80, 116, 189, 

205, 220, 223. 
Otis, Harrison Gray, address by, 117. 
Otis, .James, address by, 151. 
Overing, 60. 
Overseers of Harvard College, 49. 

Paddy, 29. 
Page, 34. 
Paige, 42, 168. 
Paine, 90. 

Painter's bill in 1773, 64, 170, 171. 
Panton, 79. 

Parker, 24, 106, 107, 163, 168, 174. 
Parkman House, 191. 
Partridge, 224. 
Payne, 45, 177. 
Peircc, 172. 

Pemberton, Thomas, description by, 
97, 183, 190. 
square, 191. 
Penn, 24. 

Pepperell, 50, 55, 56. 
Pheni.\, 49. 
Philadelphia, 13. 
Phillips, 24, 25, 48, 194. 
Phipps, 45. 
Phips, Sir William, 34, 38, 39. 

Dame Mary, 39. 
Pierce, 40. 
Pillars, 32, 53. 
Pillory, the, 164. 
Plymouth, 219. 
Point -Mderton, 92. 
Polyanthus, The, 192. 
Population of Boston, 26, 34, 35, 38, 

4G, 54. 
Port Bill, the Boston, 90. 
Portraits mentioned, 18, 62, 65, 71, 72, 

85,91, 216, 217, 218. 
Portsmouth, 154. 
Post office, 25, 114, 191. 
Pownall, Gov. Thomas, 66, 67, 71. 
Pratt, Chief Justice, 70. 
Prayers, iiublic, 47. ■ 
Press-gang, trial of, 79. 
Preston, Capt., trial of, 82, 83,87. 



INDEX. 



233 



Preston, 19S, 202. 

Prison lot, tlie, 177. 

Probate building, 170, 184, 189. 

Proclamation, 41, 51, 94. 

Prorogation, 42. 

Province arms, 94, 148. 

Charter, 219. 

House, 45,91,214. 
Provincial Congress, 90. 
Prvtaneum Bostonionse, 201, 208. 
Public Library, First, 218. 
Pudding Lane, 24, 25. 
Pulsifer, 59. 
Pynchon, 41. 

Quaker's meeting-house, 175. 

Quebec, 43, C9. 

Queen's arms, 210,217. 

Quelch, Capt. John, 42. 

Quincy, 18, 48, 71, 87, 181, 189, 105, 

205. 
Quincy, Josiah, jr., 87. 
Quincy Market, 23. 

Rand, 106. 

Randolph, 37. 

Ratdiffe, 37. 

R.iwson, 168. 

Rea, 107. 

Reed, 61. 

Registry of Deeds, 45. 

Representatives Chamber, 214, 218, 

219, 220, 221, 223, 

224. 
Hall, 43, 51, 62, 63, 

95, 98, 173, 174, 

203. 
Room, 78, 210, 222. 
Revolution of 1088, 35. 
Richardson, 81. 
Roath, 198. 

Rogers, Isaiah, 12, 107, 112, 153, 205. 
Roxbury, 02, 179, ISO, 209, 210. 
Royal, 215,219. 

Royal arms, 64, 05, 145, 140, 147, 
148, 215. 
Exchange T.avern, 60. 
Royall House, Medford, 154. 



Ruddock, 178, 179, 181. 
Ruggles, 149. 
Russell, 174, 213. 

Salem, 90, 154, 219, 222. 

Salmon, 12, 110, 115. 

Savage, 28, 51. 

Savell, 54, 65. 

Scott, 24. 

Seottow, 29. 

Seal, the Colony, 146. 

Seat, Boston, 219. 

Seaver, 103. 

Selectmen, meeting of, .53. 

notes of, GO, 61, 00. 
Selfridge, 107. 
Senate Chamber, 03. 
Sewall, Samuel, extracts from diary 

of, 30, 37, 38,39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 40, 

47, 48, 49, 50,51, 52. 
Shattuck, 34. 
Shaw, description by, 108, 183, 190, 

192. 
Sherman, 26. 

Shirley, 50, 54, 55, 57, 02, 00, 67, 208. 
Shirley House, 154. 
Shop removed, 180, 187. 
Shops, 24, 31, 32, 54, 107. 
Short, 99. 
Shrimpton, 31, 37. 
Shropshire, 09. 
Shute, 50, 54. 
Siders, 100, 107. 
Siege of Boston, 91. 
Smith, 30, 100, 223. 
Snow, 11, 13, 183, 192, 195. 
Snyder, Christopher, killed, 81. 
Speaker, 51, 52. 
Stairca.^e, 203, 204. 
Stairway, central, 204. 
circular, 62. 
Stamp Act riots, 73, 75. 
State-street riots, 81, 82. 
■Siiite Constitution adopted, 94. 
State House, old, engravings of, 10, 
11, 12, 13. 
founded, 23. 
model, 28. 



234 



INDKX. 



State House, description of the first, 28, 

29. 
paid for, 30. 
tenants, 31, 32, 100, 107, 

108, 109. 
head-quarters against An- 

dros, 35. 
used by Legislature, 37, 

94. 
council-clianibcr in, 38. 
burnt in 1711, H. 
rebuilt, 45, 133, 134, 135, 

136, 137, 138. 
public sales at, forbidden, 

52. 
repaired, 54. 
riot against press-gangs, 

57. 
burnt in 1747, 58, 59, GO. 
rebuilt, 139, 140, 141, 142, 

143, 144, 145. 
described in 1750, by 

Goelet, 61. 
ton-n offices in Faneuil 

Hall, GO. 
described in 1791, 63. 
painter's bill, 1773, G4. 
described by .loliu Adams, 

70, 71. 
galleries in, 7G. 
troops lodged in, 78. 
injured by British troops, 

91. 
used by the State, 94. 
peace proclaimed at, 94. 
Hancock installed at, 94. 
Washington received at. 

95. 
described in 1794, by 

Pemberton, 97. 
corner-stone laid, 1795, 

97. 
occupied by the legisla- 
ture, 1798. 97. 
report on di^posal, 10i>, 

101. 
title disputed, 100. 
title settled, 102. 



State House, sold to the town, 102, 103. 
leased, 104, 105, 106. 
slight fire in 18IC, 107. 
described in 1817, 108. 
slight fire in 1825. 111. 
described in 1829, 109. 
slight fire in 1832, 115. 
used for city purposes, 

1830, 111. 
restoration of, 1830, 112. 
called " City Hall" de- 
scribed, 113. 
used for business pur- 
poses, IIG. 
restoration of, 1881, 116. 
described in 1881, 152, 

153, 154, 155, 15G. 
reconstruction and resto- 
ration of, 152, 153, 154, 
155, 156, 157, 158, 159. 
original ))lans found, 153. 
cost of refitting and re- 
constructing, 159, 160, 
161. 
repaired, 222, 223. 
Stoddard, 28. 
.Stone, 175, 176. 
Story, 178, 223. 

Sloughton, 34, 37, 39, 40, 179, 186. 
Stoughtonham District, 186. 
Street, Beacon, 200. 
Bedford, 199. 
Brattle, 46. 
Charles, 183 
Chauncey, 199. 
Court, 23, 99, 108, 178, 183, 

190, 193. 
Devonshire, 9, 24, 25. 
Essex, 73. 
E.\changc, GO, 82. 
Fish, 107. 
Fleet, 73, 92. 
Franklin, 23. 
Kilby, 23. 
King, 24, 25, 44, 53, 57, 61, 73, 

92, 93, 97. 
Leverett, 183, 191. 
Milk, 91. 



INDEX. 



235 



Street, Quoen, 03, 178, ISl, 183, 187, 
188. 
School, 44, 178, 190, 198. 
State, 23, 24, 25, 34, 44, 60, G4, 

81, 82, 90. 
Thatcher, 183. 
Tremont, 191. 
Washington, 23, 24, 44, 73, 

109. 
Water, 2.5. 
Subscribers to first Town House, 131, 

132, 133. 
Sullivan, 112, 189. 
Sumner, 94, 195. 

Table, the Council, 89. 
Tailor, 47, 50, 54. 
Taylor, 31, 50. 
Tea-Party, Boston, 89. 
Tenants, lOR, 107, 108, 109, 110. 
Thanksgiving Day, 1776, 94. 
Thaxter, 45. 
Thompson, 24, 25. 
Thompson Family, 25. 
Tileston, 174. 
Tillinghast, 103. 
Ting, 168. 
Titcomb, 103. 
Toplifif's Newsroom, 114. 
Town Armoury, 53. 
Docli, 23. 
Hall, 65, 66. 

House (_See, also. State Souse), 
24, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 
33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 
40, 41, 42, 44, 46, 47, 
50, 52, 53, 65, 69, 81, 
83, 87, 167, 168, 189. 
first, 30, 129, 130, 131, 

132, 133, 218. 
described in 1658, 29. 
bell, 32. 
note on, 32. 
leased, 31, 32, 54. 
burnt in 1711, 44. 
rebuilt, 133,134, 135,130, 

137, 138. 
division of charges, 45. 



Town House, clock, 53. 

repaired, 53, 54. 
burnt in 1747, 57. 
rebuilt, 139, 140, 141,1-12, 

143, 144, 145. 
described in 17.50, 61. 
courts transfcrrcil, 99. 
courts held in, 173. 
court room, 174. 
Library, 33, 218. 
meetings, 28, 29, 42, 43, 46, 08, 

77, 78, 83, 84, 89, 99, 100. 
Records, 31, 33, 52. 
Townsend, 45, 54. 
Treat, 53. 
Tremont Tlace, 191. 

Temple, 191. 
Trials, 49. 

special, 191. 
Triumphal Arch, 95. 
Troops removed, 79, 86. 
Trusdall, 164. 
Tudor, 179, 181, 182, 189. 
Tyng, 168. 

United States courts, 191. 

court house, 190. 
Usher, 31,41. 

Vardy, 60. 

Views, engraved, notice of, 10, II, 12, 

13, 98. 
Virginia, 39. 
Voters, 20, 29, 39, 42, 43, 88. 

Waldo, Gen. Samuel, 56, 150. 

Walpole, 180, 186. 

Ward, 195. 

Ward Koom, 183. 

Warren, 50, r>5, 56, 112, 110, 211. 

Hall, 212. 
Washburn, William, 112. 
Washington, George, 95. 

Statue of. 111. 
W.aters, 100. 
Watertown, Legislature at, 01, 213, 

224. 
Watkins, 39. 



23G 



INDEX. 



Watts, 51, 175, 178, 170, ISO, 181. 

Webb, 1C3. 

Welles, 175, 178, 179, ISO, 181. 

Wendell, CI, 150. 

Wentworth, 54. 

West, 3G. 

West Chamber, 45. 
Hall, 18. 

Weymouth, 180, 186. 

Wliitmore, Gen. Edw.ird, fiO. 

Wliitmore, William II., 15:!, 153, 157, 

159, 207. 

address by, 22. 

notes, 201,202, 

203,204,205, 

206, 207. 



Wightman, 28. 

Wilder, Marshall P., address by, 124. 

Willard, Secretary, letter of, '>'J. 

Willard, CO, 212. 

Williams, 54, 103, 1C4. 

Williams court, 44. 

Willson, 168. 

Wilson, 24. 

Winslow, 176, 177. ISl, 182. 

Winthro]!, 25, 26, 35, 50, 150. 

Witchcraft, trials, 39. 

Wolfe, CO. 

Woolley, Aid. AVilliam, 17, 18, 152, 

157, 159. 
Wrentham, 170, 18C. 
Writs of Assistance, 70, 72, 76. 



